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Event Information:
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Fri22Nov2024
The Holy Apostle Philemon and those with him.
Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God. Nativity Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
VESPERS ON THURSDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 8
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
O wonder most glorious!* The Ineffable One is now prefigured.* She is known today in visible images* because the Divine Light shone forth for the world.* The betrothed is led into the holy temple.* Let us exalt her as the splendid and holy One,* the light-radiating Temple of Christ the Light-Giver.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
The wise Joachim and Anne* offered up a truly acceptable first fruit,* the heavenly fruit that God clearly desired to give to them,* the handmaiden of God, the Virgin Mary.* Her tribulations took away the debt.* Let us praise her and devoutly rejoice* because she is the mediatrix of joy for the whole world.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come let us mystically gather together.* Adorned with the light of faith,* let us walk before the Virgin* who now gloriously enters the temple of God.* She is betrothed to Christ, the King of all.* We celebrate the beautiful feast of her entrance* which is a delight to everyone.
Tone 2
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
O glorious Philemon,* as a branch of the Living Vine,* you have rained the joy of the knowledge of God* upon those who have anguish of soul.* You made happy the hearts that were ensnared* and possessed by the darkness of idol worship.* Therefore, we rejoice and celebrate your God-loving memory.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
O blessed one, the city of Gaza venerates you,* since It beheld the light of knowledge through you.* The Colossians hold onto your holy body as a rich possession* which overflows with the grace of healing.* Therefore, O glorious Philemon, we observe your memory* and are protected from dangers by your prayers.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
In faith let us praise the wise ones,* the hierarchs Archippus and the precious Apphias.* Let us honour the priestly preachers* and honourable teachers, Philemon and Onesimus.* They rooted out the cunning of idol worship by preaching* and planted the knowledge of truth* for all who devoutly honour them.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
Today let the heavens above greatly rejoice* and let the clouds pour down gladness* at the mighty and marvelous acts of our God.* For behold, the gate that looks towards the East,* born from a fruitless and barren womb according to the promise,* and consecrated to God as his dwelling,* is now being brought into the temple as a spotless offering.* Let David greatly rejoice and play on his harp, saying:* Virgins shall be brought to the King after her;* her companions shall be brought into the ark of the Lord* to be nourished with the life of the incorruptible One* who was begotten from eternity* for the salvation of our souls.
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
My help is from the Lord,* Who made heaven and earth.
verse: I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Today the assembly of virgins,* singing psalms and carrying candles,* brightly leads the procession* in honour of the all-Immaculate One.
She is led to the King with her maiden companions.
O prophet, receive the Spiritual Mountain,* the Sanctuary, the Divine Altar,* and the Ark which contained the manna,* the all-Immaculate One.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; they pass within the palace of the King.
Open up the doors of the sanctuary, O prophet Zechariah;* truly receive the Mother of God.* She is the ever-Virgin.
Glory… Now…
Today the all-Immaculate Virgin* is being escorted into the temple* to become the abode of God, the King of all.* Today, as a three year old child,* the most pure holy One is being led into the Holy of Holies.* With the angel, let us cry out to her:* Rejoice, for you alone are blessed among women.
Troparia
Tone 3
O holy apostles, intercede with the all-merciful God,* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.
Tone 4, Glory… Now…
Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
DIVINE LITURGY ON FRIDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Today is the prelude of the good pleasure of God,* and the proclamation of salvation for the human race.* In the Temple of God* the Virgin is clearly revealed,* and beforehand announces Christ to all.* To her, then, let us cry aloud with a mighty voice:* Rejoice, fulfilment of the Creator’s plan.
Troparion, Tone 3: Holy Apostle, Philemon, intercede with the merciful God* to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: The Saviour’s pure temple,* the precious bridal chamber and Virgin,* the sacred treasury of the glory of God,* is brought today into the house of the Lord;* and with her she brings the grace of the divine Spirit.* God’s angels sing in praise of her:* She is indeed the heavenly dwelling-place.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: As a star most bright the Church forever possess you,* O Apostle Philemon,* for she is illumined by the frequent gift of your miracles.* And so we call out to Christ:* “Save those who venerate in faith the memory of Your apostle,* O most merciful One!”
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)
Epistle
2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18
Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear.
verse: The rich among the people shall entreat your countenance. (Psalm 44:11,13)
Gospel
Luke 19:12-28
Hymn to the Mother of God
Seeing the entrance of the pure one, angels marvel in wonder how the Virgin could enter the holy of holies
And the Irmos, Tone 4: Let no hand of the profane touch God’s living ark,* but instead let the lips of those who are believers* sing out ceaselessly in the words of the angel,* crying out with great joy to the Mother of God:* O pure Virgin,* you are truly higher than all.
Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)