New Texts arriving in the evening of April 17, 2024!
Event Information:
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Sat13Jan2024
Saturday after Theophany. Holy Martyrs Hermylus and Stratonicus (313-24).
VESPERS
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
He who covers Himself with light as with a garment* has granted for our sakes to become as we are.* Today He is covered by the streams of the Jordan,* though He has no need to be cleansed by them:* But through the cleansing that He Himself receives –* Wonder! He bestows regeneration on us!* He refashions without shattering,* and without fire, He casts anew,* and He saves those who are enlightened in Him,* Christ our God, the Saviour of 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.
John the Baptist saw You draw near,* Who cleanse the sin of the world by Spirit and by fire.* He cried aloud in fear and trembling, and said:* I dare not touch Your immaculate head.* Sanctify me, Master, by Your epiphany,* only Lover of mankind!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come, like the wise virgins,* let us go and meet the Master Who has appeared:* For as a Bridegroom He has come forth to John.* The Jordan, seeing You, was driven back in fear;* John cried out: I dare not touch Your immortal head.* The Spirit came down in the form of a dove, hallowing the waters,* and a voice called from on high:* This is my Son Who has come into the world to save mankind.* O Lord, Glory to You.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The glorious Hermylus and the God-wise Stratonicus* were a wondrous pair who professed the uncreated Trinity.* After many wounds and sufferings* they conquered the error of worshipping many gods.* They have been crowned with the crown of victory,* and they pray for peace and great mercy for the whole world.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O Martyr, you were a servant of the Word.* O Hermylus, you were chosen as a deacon by the Divine Spirit.* The sacred and splendid robes of your diaconate* were coloured by the flowing of your blood;* having perfected your ministry,* you now pass over into the spiritual kingdom,* and you pray fervently for those who venerate you.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Having suffered stoning at the command of the torturer,* you were thrown into a basket and were drowned.* Through your blessed death you drown the most evil enemy.* Now you are living joyously in heaven,* and you pray for everyone, O courageous martyrs.
Tone 8, Glory…
O venerable and holy fathers,* having meditated day and night on the law of the Lord,* you were made worthy to be partakers in the delights of the living Tree.* You blossomed with fruit, the crowns of your martyrdom.* You had confidence in God, the witness of your struggles.* Now obtain for us both forgiveness and great mercy.
Now…
Today the creation is enlightened!* Today all nature is glad:* Things of heaven, and things on earth.* Angels and men come together,* for where the King is present, there also his army goes.* Let us run, then, to the Jordan;* let us all see how John baptizes a sinless and uncreated Head!* And therefore let us together cry aloud,* echoing the voice of the apostle:* The grace of God bringing salvation to all men has appeared,* shining upon the faithful and granting them great mercy!
Aposticha
See the reflection of the Father’s glory* come to Jordan’s bank* to purge by baptismal washing the filth of our souls.
The sea looked and fled; Jordan was driven back!
John the prophet, receive the world’s Redeemer!* As His chosen servant, baptize the Creator* for the regeneration of mankind!
What ails you, sea, that you flee? Jordan, that you turn back?
Enlightenment approaches!* Redemption shines in Jordan!* Come, let us assemble to be cleansed of sin,* singing the hymns of the feast!
Tone 8, Glory…
O venerable fathers, through the pains of your fastings* You lived a life of the angels.* Having become master of your body by self-discipline,* you subjected it to the Spirit.* You kept the law of the Lord* and preserved the original beauty of the likeness.* After spending your life in great fasting,* you entered the struggles of the martyrs,* and were adorned with eth two-fold crown.* Implore the Saviour to save our souls.
Now…
Today the armies of angels are amazed,* seeing You stand naked in Jordan’s waters, Saviour,* bowing Your pure head to be baptized by John!* By Your voluntary poverty* You have filled the universe with riches!* O Lord, glory to You!
Troparia
Tone 4
O Lord our God, you holy martyrs,* have deserved the crown of immortality* on account of their good fight.* Armed with your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors* and crushed Satan’s dreadful might.* Through their supplications, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
At Your Baptism in the Jordan river, O Christ,* the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest,* for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You “Beloved Son”* and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove,* confirmed the immutability of this declaration.* O Christ God, who came forth and filled the world with light: * Glory to You!
DIVINE LITURGY
Antiphon 1
When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
The sea beheld this and fled,* the Jordan turned back on its course.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Why was it, O sea, that you fled,* that you, O Jordan, turned back on your course?
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…
Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, baptized by John in the Jordan, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,* worship of the Trinity was revealed;* the voice of the Father bore witness to You,* naming You the beloved Son,* and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the word’s certainty.* Glory to You, O Christ God,* who appeared and enlightened the world.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Today, You have appeared to the world* and Your light, O Lord, has been signed on us,* who with knowledge sing Your praises.* You have come, You have appeared, O unapproachable Light.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord; God the Lord has appeared to us.
verse: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 117:26-27,1)
Epistle
Ephesians 6:10-17
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Bring to the Lord, you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams.
verse: The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory has thundered, the Lord reigns over vast waters. (Psalm 28:1,3)
Gospel
Matthew 4:1-11
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ the King, baptized in the Jordan.
and the Irmos: Every tongue is at a loss to praise you as is your due, O Mother of God. Even a spirit from above is filled with dizziness when seeking to sing your praises. But since you are good accept our faith, for you know well our love inspired by God. For it is you who protect all Christians; therefore, we magnify you.
Communion Hymn
The grace of God has appeared* bringing salvation to all.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Titus 2:11)
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan.
Instead of May our mouths… and Blessed be the Name… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is baptized in the Jordan. (3)