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Event Information:
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Tue26Sep2023
The Passing of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
All-Night Vigil Feast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Great Vespers
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
As witness of revelations beyond words* and interpreter of the sublime mysteries of God,* O son of Zebedee,* you have written the gospel of Christ for us.* You taught us to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
As witness of revelations beyond words* and interpreter of the sublime mysteries of God,* O son of Zebedee,* you have written the gospel of Christ for us.* You taught us to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
As witness of revelations beyond words* and interpreter of the sublime mysteries of God,* O son of Zebedee,* you have written the gospel of Christ for us.* You taught us to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Divinely moved lyre of heavenly canticles,* you are the mystical writer* and the God-inspired voice melodiously singing the divine hymns.* Pray for the salvation of our souls.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Divinely moved lyre of heavenly canticles,* you are the mystical writer* and the God-inspired voice melodiously singing the divine hymns.* Pray for the salvation of our souls.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Divinely moved lyre of heavenly canticles,* you are the mystical writer* and the God-inspired voice melodiously singing the divine hymns.* Pray for the salvation of our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O beloved of God, with your thundering voice* you declared the wisdom of God.* You constantly proclaimed aloud the hidden word by frequently saying:* In the beginning was the Word.* You have illumined all with the knowledge of God.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O beloved of God, with your thundering voice* you declared the wisdom of God.* You constantly proclaimed aloud the hidden word by frequently saying:* In the beginning was the Word.* You have illumined all with the knowledge of God.
In Tone 2, Glory…
Let all the human race give the praise that is due to John, the son of thunder,* the virgin apostle and the bearer of God's message,* the chief theologian and the first to proclaim the truths* which are contained in the teachings of divine Wisdom.* For always being filled with that which is divine, he said:* In the beginning was the Word, not separated from the Father* but equal to the Father according to His nature,* thereby showing us the right worship of the Holy Trinity.* He has also shown us that the Word was with the Father, the Creator of all,* and that He bears life and has shown us the true light.* O awesome marvel! O Wisdom! * John was filled with love for God;* he was also filled with glory, honour, and faith;* he was the preacher of our pure faith.* Because of this, we shall obtain eternal blessing on the day of judgment.
Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
Readings
(1) I John 3:21- 4:6; (2) I John 4:11-16; (3) I John 4:20-5:5
At the Lytia
In Tone 1
O Apostle, rivers of theology poured out from your precious mouth. * The Church of God has drunk from them * and in true faith adores the consubstantial Trinity.* O John the Divine, pray to the Holy Trinity* to strengthen the Church and to save our souls.* The garden of purity, the fragrant myrrh, * has again come upon us in the present feast* so that we may cry aloud:* O John, the apostle who reclined on the bosom of the Master,* and made the word fall on the world like rain,* you have guarded the Virgin as the most cherished one.* Ask Christ to grant us his great mercy.
As an eye-witness of the ineffable mysteries,* you cried out that the eternal Word was in God and that He is God.* O Apostle John, you reclined upon the breast of Christ. * O delight of the Trinity, * O unshakable fortitude of Ephesus and Patmos, help us! * O blessed Theologian, pray that those who honour you faithfully* will be delivered from the wicked enemies* of both body and spirit.
O Disciple of the Saviour, O celibate and theologian,* Christ our God entrusted the Virgin Theotokos to you.* You protected her as the most cherished one.* Therefore, intercede that our souls may be saved.
In Tone 4, Glory…
O beloved Disciple, at the Lord's supper* you reclined on the breast of Christ the Master.* From that place you understood things ineffable,* and your heavenly voice thundered to all:* In the beginning was the Word;* the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God.* The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world.* Christ is God and the Saviour of our souls.
Now…
The Son, glorified on high with the Father and the Spirit by the Cherubim,* desired to restore Adam.* He completely and ineffably emptied himself in your womb, O ever-praised Theotokos;* and having shone forth from you,* He has enlightened the world with his divinity.* Christ the Lord and Saviour of our souls,* having divinized the human race,* led us back to heaven.
Aposticha
In Tone 4
You are the theologian who spoke of the Son of the Most High.* He is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father,* Light from unchangeable Light, and Image of the very person of the Father,* shining from Him eternally and without change,* the Creator and Lord of all. * O beloved, you have preached about Christ our God to the world,* who is the Light leading us out of darkness.
Through all the world their voice resounds; their message reaches to the ends of the earth.
Having received the light of the Comforter* and having been enlightened by Him, * O beloved, as theologian* you taught that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father* and was manifested to mankind by the Son.* He is equal in holiness, essence, and majesty* with the eternal Father and the Word of God.* We, therefore, venerate you in hymns as the blessed preacher of our faith.* Keep it firm by your prayers to the Lord, our God.
The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord; the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
Having ascended to the height of theology,* you have learned the ineffable mysteries of God:* that the essence of the Godhead is one;* one glory, one kingdom, and one dominion,* ever-divided into three Persons,* yet undivided in essence, * united in a divine union without confusion.* Thus you gloriously proclaimed the undivided Trinity.* O Theologian, entreat God to save and enlighten our souls.
In Tone 6, Glory…
O apostle of Christ, O evangelist, O theologian, * you were the mystic of the ineffable mysteries.* You proclaimed to us the untold teachings of Wisdom.* You clarified for the faithful* that the Word was present to God in the beginning.* You cast aside the words of the heretics* and rejected their false teachings.* You appeared as the favourite and beloved friend of Christ,* even as the thundering Isaiah and Moses who saw God.* Having boldness before Him, earnestly pray for 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.
Troparion
In Tone 2
O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and great mercy for us.
FESTAL MATINS
Usual Beginning
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord, Tone 2
Troparia, Tone 2
O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and great mercy for us.
Psalter Reading
According to custom
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn I, Tone 8
O most wise Apostle, you have been called son of the divine thunder;* for you have deafened the ears of evildoers, and, to upright hearts, you sounded the sweetest trumpet,* the Incarnation of the Word.* As a true friend of Christ, you have reclined upon his breast from which you have drawn the depth of knowledge.* You proclaimed to all that the Word was co-eternal with the Father.* O John the Apostle, intercede with Christ our God* that He may forgive the offenses of those who keep your holy memory.
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God, having ineffably conceived in your womb the Wisdom and the Word, you have brought forth the One who embraces the whole world. You have held in your arms the One who preserves all, the sustainer of all, and the Creator who formed our nature. Therefore, I entreat you, O all-holy Virgin,* that I may be delivered from my offenses* when I stand before the face of my Creator.* Give me your help, O pure Virgin and Lady,* for all things are possible for you.
Psalter Reading
According to custom
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn II, Tone 8
O all-praised saint, having put aside fishing in the deep sea,* with the reed of the Cross you have netted all the peoples as fish,* thus becoming a fisher of all and netting them for godliness.* You sowed knowledge of the Word* in all of Patmos and Ephesus by the harvesting of your words.* Now intercede with Christ God* to grant remission of sins to those who lovingly celebrate your memory.
Glory… Now…
I reflect on the day of judgment and stand afraid.* Having done deeds worthy of shame, I am brought low;* and, therefore, I entreat you, O Theotokos, of whom all people sing:* Before the night overtakes me, turn me back from death;* guide me to the way of repentance,* that I may thankfully venerate and praise your immeasurable power and your divine defense.* O holy bride of God, who intercedes with Christ our God,* for his sake beg of you that cleansing of sins* and great mercy be given to me.
Polyeleos
Magnification
We extol you,* O Apostle of Christ, John the Theologian,* and we honour the sufferings and labours which you endured*in spreading the teaching of Christ.
verse: The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
verse: God stands in the divine assembly. In the midst of the gods He gives judgment.
verse: He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Having rested his head on the breast of Jesus,* John received courage to ask as a disciple:* Who is your betrayer, O Master?* Being the beloved apostle, Christ indicated this to you through the bread.* Therefore, you were a mystic of ineffable mysteries,* having taught everyone about the Incarnation of the Word.* O Theologian and Apostle,* now intercede with Christ our God to grant remission of sins* to those who lovingly celebrate your holy memory.
Glory… Now…
Let us extol the heavenly door and tabernacle,* the most holy mountain, the radiant cloud, the unconsumable burning bush,* the spiritual paradise, the announcer to Eve, the great treasure of the universe,* because, through her, salvation came to the world,* and forgiveness was granted for our age-old sins.* For this reason, we call to her:* Entreat your Son to grant remission of sins* to those who devoutly worship Him who was born of you.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Through all the world their voice resounds; their message reaches to the ends of the earth.
verse: The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Let everything that lives, Tone 4
Gospel
John 21:15-25
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Glory…
Through the prayers of Your apostle, John the Theologian,* O Merciful Lord, cleanse me* from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O merciful Lord, cleanse me* from the multitude of my transgressions.
In Tone 2
Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of Your compassion; according to the multitude of Your mercies blot out my offence.
O theologian, O celibate,* O beloved disciple of the Lord,* we entreat you, by your prayers, to save us from all harm* because we are your spiritual flock.
Canon
Ode 1
Irmos: Once, almighty power overthrew the whole army of Pharaoh in the deep,* and the incarnate Word destroyed pernicious sin.* All-glorious is the Lord,* for gloriously has He been glorified!
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Having received the kingdom of heaven which you preached, O blessed one, and as a converser with the Word of heaven, by your supplications preserve those who believe in your honoured preaching and theology.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Exhibiting a mighty mind, you spurned all things on earth and the bonds of nature, O most wise one, and abiding noetically and spiritually with the Word you have freed from irrationality those who live senselessly.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Receiving most theologically an understanding of heavenly things, you preached God the Word; and, proclaiming the glad tidings, you taught: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with His Father, and the Word was God!
Glory… Now…
The choir of divine maidens hymn you most divinely, O Mistress Theotokos, who are comely among women and are adorned with the beauties of divinity; for in manner past recounting you gave birth to the Word and Benefactor.
Ode 3
Irmos: The desert, the barren Church of the nations,* blossomed like a lily at Your coming, O Lord,* and therein has my heart* been established.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
With the tongue of your theology you revelaed the mystery of the Trinity which passes understanding, O divinely blessed John; and therein has my heart been established.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Thy tongue became the scribe’s pen of the most Holy Spirit, recording your precious and divine Gospel with godly script.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Reclining against the Well-spring of wisdom with divinely wise boldness, O most wise one, you drew forth an abyss of wisdom; and you became His godly herald.
Glory… Now…
We honour you as the only Virgin Mother who has been for us the mediatress of salvation, delivering the world by your supplications.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Having reclined against the breast of Wisdom and learned an understanding of things, you thundered forth divinely: “In the beginning was the Word!”, being the first to record the unoriginate begetting; and you have proclaimed to all the incarnation of the Word. Wherefore, fishing for the nations, using your tongue as a net, you teache the ends of the earth by the grace of the Spirit, and enlighten them with miracles. O theologian and apostle, entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who with love celebrate your holy memory.
Glory… Now…
Having fallen into perils of great complexity through enemies visible and invisible, beset by the tempest of my countless offenses, I flee to the haven of your goodness as to my fervent help and protection, O pure one. Wherefore, pray earnestly to Him Who became incarnate of you without seed, in behalf of your servants, O all-pure one, ever beseeching Him to grant remission of offenses to those who hymn your glory as is meet.
Ode 4
Irmos: You came forth from the Virgin, not as a mediator or an angel,* but the Lord Himself, incarnate, and have saved me, the whole man.* Wherefore, I cry to You:* Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Having taught you most excellently the mysteries of His divinity and instructed you in His ineffable dispensation for man, as is meet the Word showed you forth as His theologian.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You acquired a godly mind and a virginal body, O glorious one, and became the living and animate temple and most sacred dwelling-place of the most hymned Trinity.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
O blessed virgin apostle, you were honoured in being appointed the son of the all-pure Virgin, and were shown to be the brother of Him Who chose you and made of you His disciple and theologian.
Glory… Now…
Healing the ancient crime of Eve, the All-divine One made His abode in you, the most immaculate and all-pure one, to restore me, a fallen man.
Ode 5
Irmos: You were the Mediator between God and men, O Christ God; for through You, O Master, have we been brought forth from the night of ignorance to Your Father, the Author of light.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Through grace you were shown to be a heavenly mind, O theologian, becoming wholly light through drawing nigh to the Origin of light, deified by the pure sight of Him.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You preached your Gospel with pure mind, holy lips and an all-pure mouth, O divinely inspired one, and you have set forth universal salvation before all the faithful
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Living with Christ from your childhood, instructed in theology and having learned the glory of the Trinity which transcends nature, you became an instrument of grace set forth by Him.
Glory… Now…
Mindful of your words, we now call you blessed; for through you, O most immaculate one, we have truly received ineffable blessedness and life which grows not old.
Ode 6
Irmos: Whirled about in the abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Your loving-kindness:* lead me up from corruption, O God!
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Jesus, my God and Lord, accepting your purity and most perfect holiness, received you as His brother, O theologian.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Having crowned your life with holiness, and trusting therein, O glorious one, you reclined against the breast of Wisdom, and drew forth grace therefrom.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
The great and divine radiance of your theology has enlightened the whole world, O glorious one, and has illumined it with the light of the threefold Sun.
Glory… Now…
He Who stretched forth heaven, O pure Mother of God, has stretched you forth as another, earthly heaven, and, shining forth from you, has revealed Himself.
Kontakion, Tone 2
O virgin apostle, who can recount your mighty works?* For you pour out wonders and healings* and you pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.
Ikos
It is a bold and unattainable thing to study the heights of heaven and to plumb the depths of the sea; for as it is impossible to calculate the number of the stars and the sands of the shore, so is it impossible to speak sufficiently of the theologian, whom Christ loved and has crowned with so many crowns. For, reclining against His breast, he ate with Him at the mystical supper, in that he is a theologian and friend of Christ.
Ode 7
Irmos: The God-opposing command of the iniquitous tyrant raised up a lofty flame,* but Christ, Who is blessed and all-glorious, spread a spiritual dew over the pious youths.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Shining with divine effulgence, you manifestly theologized concerning the Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the unoriginate Father and rests inseparably in the Son, in that He is consubstantial with them.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
In you, O blessed one, Christ, the all-glorious Sun of righteousness appointed His dwelling, Who has made you an ever-moving heaven, and is proclaimed by the tongue of your theology.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
The power of your words has sent forth a divine sound, O most blessed and right wondrous one, and your universal Gospel has embraced the whole earth with the magnificence of your dogmas.
Glory… Now…
You alone showed forth your conceiving as all-pure and your birthgiving as incorrupt, remaining a virgin; for you conceived God Who is over all and Who became man, O pure one, salvation and deliverance of the faithful.
Ode 8
Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the furnace divided its activity at the command of God,* for it consumed the Chaldeans,* but bedewed the faithful, who chant:* Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Issuing forth like dazzling lightning, you were revealed to the whole world in the radiance of purity and the brilliance of virginity, O beloved of Christ God, illumining the world with the dogmas of piety.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
Having purified body, soul, and mind, you proclaimed the glad tidings of the heavenly Gospel of Christ; and, dwelling with the angels in the heavens, you now criy out: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You were a pillar of light, a divine oblation of the heavenly temple, a throne of perception, a receptacle of wisdom and an instrument of theology, chanting: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!
Glory… Now…
That You might annul the primal curse and the ancient condemnation of our first mother to death, O Word of God, You were born of the Virgin Mother of God, granting indestructible immortality unto all.
Ode 9
Irmos: God the Lord, the Son of the unoriginate Father,* has appeared to us, incarnate of the Virgin,* to enlighten the benighted and to gather the dispersed.* Wherefore, we magnify the most hymned Theotokos.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You have now been counted worthy to behold the Torrent of sweetness, the River of peace and the Well-spring of immortality, not in indistinct images, but face to face; and, watered thereby, you now enjoy deification.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You asked Christ for a throne on earth, but He gave you His breast instead; and, reclining against it, you were enriched with a steadfast, abiding, and goodly seat, O theologian, adornment of the apostles.
Holy Apostle John, pray to God for us!
You burned up the ungodliness of pagan wisdom, O wise one, proclaiming: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was truly God, through Whom all things came into being, visible and invisible!”
Glory… Now…
Amid the night of life you were found to be like the break of dawn, O most pure Mother of God, shining forth with rays of virginity and revealing to us the Orient of the noetic Sun of righteousness.
Small Litany
Hymn of Light, Tone 6
As a son of thunder, you proclaimed to the people that in the beginning was the Word; and leaning faithfully on the bosom of your Master, O John the Apostle, you have drawn streams of theology from which you have watered the whole creation.
Glory… Now…
O ever-pure One, you stood with the celibate disciple near the Cross of your Son and God. You heard the Creator say: Woman, there is your son! In turn, He said to the disciple: There is your mother! With Him, we all joyfully sing praises to you, O virgin Mother of God.
Praises
Stichera of the Praises, Tone 8
O most wise and blessed John, you have been loved more than all the disciples* with the abundance of the tender love of Christ,* the all-seeing Word who judges all people with justice.* You radiated purity and virtuous deeds, both in body and in mind,* O divinely blessed one.
O flower of virginity, acceptable dwelling place of honoured virtues,* musical instrument of wisdom, and temple of the Spirit,* the mouth bringing the light of grace, you are a precious eye of the Church, exceedingly bright.* Let us now praise John in spiritual hymns as a servant of Christ.
O John, the beloved, as you leaned upon the breast of Wisdom,* you drew streams of theology with which you watered all creation.* By knowledge of the Trinity, you have dried up the sea of idolatry,* having been a pillar and a living cloud* guiding us towards the heavenly heritage.
O divinely sounding evangelist and offspring of thunder,* you announced to the world the fount of good things:* an unshaken Kingdom and eternal life,* untold joy and the delight of divine contemplation,* and the richly given gifts of the grace of Christ that surpass the mind.* You have enlightened the understanding of mortals.
Glory…
O John the Evangelist, equal of angels,* O virgin Theologian who was divinely taught,* you have proclaimed to the world, according to the true faith,* the undefiled side of Christ from which blood and water gushed forth.* Through it, we obtain eternal life for our souls.
Now…
Holy Lady, receive the prayers of us all and deliver us* from all sorrows and tribulations.
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparion, Tone 2
O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and great mercy.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
DIVINE LITURGY
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: O beloved apostle of Christ our God,* hasten, deliver a people without defense.* He who received you when you leaned upon His breast accepts you as you bow in prayer.* Implore Him, O Theologian, to scatter the cloud of nations that besets us,* asking peace and 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: O virgin apostle, who can recount your mighty works?* For you pour out wonders and healings* and you pray for our souls as Theologian and friend of Christ.
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 18:5,2)
Epistle
1 John 4:12-19
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 19:25-27; 21:24-25
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)