Author: Michael Winn

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

We never cease to adore Your life-giving Cross, O Christ our God,
And we glorify Your resurrection on the third day.
For You, Almighty One, have thereby restored the corrupted nature of all
and reopened the way to heaven,
since You alone are gracious and You love mankind.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Saviour, You have absolved the penalty of disobedience,
committed through the tree of Eden,
by willingly being nailed to the tree of the Cross.
As Almighty God, You descended into Hades
and broke asunder the bonds of death.
We, therefore, venerate Your resurrection from the dead,
and joyfully cry out to You:
Almighty Lord, glory to You!

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Lord, You have battered down the gates of Hades,
and by Your death You have dissolved the realm of death.
You have freed mankind from corruption,
bestowing life, incorruption, and Your great mercy upon the world.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Come, all you people,
let us sing the praises of our Saviour’s resurrection on the third day.
For we have, thereby, been delivered from the invincible bonds of Hades,
and we have received incorruption, together with eternal life.
Therefore, we cry out to You
after Your crucifixion, burial, and resurrection:
Save us by Your resurrection, for You love mankind.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Saviour, with the angels we sing the praises of Your resurrection on the third day.
For the very ends of the universe have, thereby, been enlightened,
and we have been saved from the deceit of the enemy.
Therefore, we cry out to You,
Almighty Saviour, Giver of Life, and Lover of Mankind:
Save us by Your resurrection.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Christ our God, You have demolished the brazen gates of Hades.
You have broken asunder the bonds of death,
and lifted up the fallen human race.
Therefore, we cry out with one accord:
O Lord, Who arose from the dead, glory to You!

In Tone 6

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth
and formed me into a living creature
breathing into me the breath of life and giving me a soul;
He honoured me,
setting me as a ruler upon the earth over all things visible,
and making me a companion of the angels.
But Satan the deceiver,
using the serpent as his instrument,
enticed me by food;
he parted me from the glory of God
and gave me over to the earth
and to the lowest depths of death.
But, Master, in compassion, call me back again.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

In my wretchedness I have cast off the robe woven by God,
disobeying Your divine command, O Lord, at the counsel of the enemy;
and I am clothed now in fig leaves and in garments of skin.
I am condemned to eat the bread of toil in the sweat of my brow,
and the earth has been cursed so that it bears thorns and thistles for me.
But, Lord, who in the last times was made flesh of a Virgin, call me back again
and bring me into Paradise.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O precious Paradise, unsurpassed in beauty,
tabernacle built by God, unending gladness and delight,
glory of the righteous, joy of the prophets and dwelling of the saints,
with the sound of your leaves
pray to the Maker of all:
may He open to me the gates which I closed by my transgression,
and may He count me worthy
to partake if the Tree of Life
and of the joy that was mine
when I dwelt in you before.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight,
beguiled by the words of a woman.
Naked he sat outside the garden, lamenting, “Woe is me!”
Therefore let us all make haste to accept the season of the Fast
and hearken to the teaching of the Gospel,
that we may gain Christ’s mercy
and receive once more a dwelling-place in Paradise.

Glory…

Adam sat before Paradise and lamenting his nakedness,
he wept: “Woe is me!
By evil deceit was I persuaded and led astray,
and now I am an exile from glory.
Woe is me!
In my simplicity I was stripped naked,
and now I am in want.
O Paradise, no more shall I take pleasure in your joy;
for I shall return to the earth from whence I was taken.
O merciful and compassionate Lord,
to You I cry aloud:
I am fallen, have mercy on me.”

In Tone 4, Now…

O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet
became an ancestor of God;
he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise
and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:
“The Queen stood at your right hand.”
God revealed you as a life-giving mother,
when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.
He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.
He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,
offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,
and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

In being lifted upon the Cross, O Lord,
You abolished the curse which we had inherited from our ancestors.
By going down into Hades,
You freed from eternal captivity those imprisoned there,
and granted incorruption to the human race.
We, therefore, praise Your life-giving and redeeming resurrection.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

By hanging on the Cross, O Almighty One,
You shook the whole creation to its foundations.
When You Yourself were laid in the grave,
You raised to life those who had been lying in the graves,
and You granted life and incorruption to mankind.
We, therefore, praise and glorify Your resurrection on the third day.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, the lawless people showed their ingratitude to You, their Benefactor,
By delivering You to Pilate who condemned you to be crucified.
But You willingly suffered death and burial;
and, as God, You rose by Your own power on the third day,
granting us everlasting life and great mercy.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The women, shedding bitter tears, came to see You in Your tomb;
and not finding Your body, they lamented, saying:
O Saviour and King of All, how were You stolen?
What place holds Your life-bearing body?
An angel answered them, saying:
Do not weep, but go and proclaim that the Lord is risen,
filling our hearts with joy;
for He alone is most compassionate.

In Tone 6, Glory… 

Adam was cast out of Paradise through eating from the tree.
Seated before the gates he wept,
lamenting with a pitiful voice and saying:
“Woe is me,
what have I suffered in my misery!
I transgressed one commandment of the Master,
and now I am deprived of every blessing.
O most holy Paradise, planted for my sake and shut because of Eve,
pray to Him that made you and fashioned me,
that once more I may take pleasure in your flowers.”
Then the Saviour said to him:
“I desire not the loss of the creature which I fashioned,
but that he should be saved and come to knowledge of the truth;
and when he comes to me I will not cast him out.”

Now…

Christ the Lord, my Maker and Saviour,
came out of your pure womb in the likeness of me, O Woman without stain,
and He delivered Adam from the original curse.
Therefore, O Woman all pure,
since you are the Mother of God and a true Virgin,
we never tire of calling you with the salutation of the angel:
“Hail, O Lady,
O our intercessor, our shield,
and the Redemptress of our souls!”

Troparia

In Tone 4
When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,** granting to the world great mercy.”

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.

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: When the disciples of the Lord learned from the angel* the glorious news of the resurrection* and cast off the ancestral condemnation,* they proudly told the apostles:* “Death has been plundered!* Christ our God is risen,* granting to the world 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 6: O Master, Guide to Wisdom*, Bestower of prudent counsel,* Instructor of the foolish and Defender of the poor ones;* make firm my heart and give it understanding.* Give me a word, O Word of the Father:* Behold, I shall not stop my lips from crying out to You:* In Your mercy, have mercy on me who am fallen.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.* Pray and give praise to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 75:12,2)

Epistle
Romans 13:11-14:4

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel
Matthew 6:14-21

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is taken only if the feast falls on a Sunday or Monday.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Simeon, tell us whom you are joyfully carrying into the Temple.
To whom are you saying:
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord,
because my eyes have seen my Saviour.
He is the child born of the Virgin.
He is the Word and God of God.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O Simeon, now receive the One
Whom Moses the lawgiver had foreseen through the cloud on Sinai.
He has become a child and submits Himself to the Law.
This is He Who spoke through the Law and Whom the prophets foretold.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and saved the world,
to You we bow in worship.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O faithful, come let us welcome Christ
and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.
He is the salvation Simeon has seen.
He is the One Whom David foretold
and of Whom the prophets have spoken.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,
to You we bow in worship.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O faithful, come let us welcome Christ
and receive Him with hymns of praise and glory.
He is the salvation Simeon has seen.
He is the One Whom David foretold
and of Whom the prophets have spoken.
O Lord, Who for our sake was incarnate and inspired the Law,
to You we bow in worship.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Today the gates of heaven swing open,
for the Word of the Father Who has no beginning
has received beginning in time
without any loss to His divinity.
As a child of forty days He is offered by a virgin Mother
in the Temple according to the Law.
The Elder Simeon receives Him in his arms and cries out:
Dismiss me, o Master, for my eyes have seen Your salvation;
O Lord, Who came into the world to save us, glory to You!

Readings
(1) Exodus 13:1-3, 11-12, 14-16; (2) Isaiah 6:1-12; (3) Isaiah 19:1-5, 12, 19-21

At the Lytia

In Tone 1

The Ancient of Days, Who of old gave the Law to Moses on Sinai
appears this day as an infant.
The Creator of the Law fulfils the Law.
He is brought into the Temple
and is given over to the Elder.
The just Simeon receives Him,
and beholding the fulfilment of the divine promise, joyfully cries out:
My eyes have seen the mystery hidden from all eternity.
It has been revealed in these latter days.
The Light has radiated the darkness of unbelieving Gentiles
and gives glory to the newly chosen Israel.
Therefore, let Your servant depart from the bonds of this flesh
to the wondrous unending life that knows no age.
And we pray You to grant great mercy to the world.

He, Who once gave the Law to Moses on Sinai,
today submits Himself to the prescriptions of the Law.
In His compassion He has become like us for our sakes.
Now the pure God, as a holy infant having opened a pure womb,
is being offered as God to Himself.
He is freeing us from the curse of the Law
and granting light to our souls.

In Tone 2

Simeon now receives below in his earthly arms
the One Whom the ministers at the liturgy on high entreat with trembling,
and Who was prophesied to become incarnate.
Seeing the heavenly God as mortal man,
he is ready to withdraw from earthly things and joyfully cries out:
Glory to You, O Lord, the unsetting Light,
that uncovers those in darkness.

Today Simeon takes in his arms the Lord of Glory,
the One Whom Moses formerly saw in the darkness
when he received the tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai.
This is He Who speaks through the prophets;
He is the Creator of the Law.
This is He Whom David announced.
He is awesome to all, yet He has great and abundant mercy.

The pure Virgin brings the Sacred One
into the sanctuary to the holy priest.
Simeon extends his hands,
receives Him joyously in his arms, and cries out:
O Master, now You let Your servant go in peace,
according to Your word, O Lord.

The Creator of heaven and earth is carried today
in the arms of the Elder Simeon.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he cried out:
Now I am set free, for I have beheld my Saviour.

Today, Simeon the Elder enters the Temple, rejoicing in spirit,
to receive in his arms the One Who gave the Law to Moses,
the One Who fulfils the Law in Himself.
For Moses was counted worthy to see God,
although in darkness and sounds that were not clear;
and with covered face he rebuked the unbelieving people.
But Simeon carried the pre-eternal Word of the father in bodily form,
and he revealed the Light of the Gentiles, the Cross, and the Resurrection.
Anna was shown to be a prophetess,
announcing the Saviour and Deliverer of Israel.
Unto Him let us cry aloud:
Through the Theotokos have mercy on us, O Christ our God.

In Tone 4

Today, the holy Mother who is higher than any temple
has herself come into the Temple
to show the world the Creator and Giver of the Law.
Simeon the Elder receives Him in his arms;
he venerates Him and cries aloud:
Now let Your servant depart in peace,
for I have seen You, the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Search the Scriptures as Christ our God said in the Gospels;
for in them we find Him Who was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes,
the One laid in a manger and fed upon milk,
Who received circumcision and was carried by Simeon.
Not in fancy or imagination,
but in very truth has He appeared to the world.
Let us cry out to Him:
Glory to You, O pre-eternal God!

Now…

He Who is Ancient of Days and young in the flesh
is being brought into the Temple by His virgin Mother.
He fulfils the promise of His own Law.
Simeon receives Him and says:
Now You may let Your servant go in peace,
for my eyes have seen Your salvation, O Lord.

Aposticha

In Tone 7

Adorn your bridal chamber, O Zion, and welcome Christ the King.
Welcome Mary, the gate of heaven,
for she has appeared as a cherubic throne
on which the King of Glory is seated.
Indeed, the Virgin has become a cloud of light,
bearing in her arms the eternal Son.
Simeon received Him in his arms
and proclaimed to the people that He is the Master,
the Master of life and death, and the Saviour of the world.

Now You may let Your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to Your word.

The all-pure Mother carried into the Temple
the One Who comes forth from the Father in all eternity
and from the womb of a Virgin in time.
The Lawmaker of Mount Sinai submits to the Law
and is presented to the elderly and holy one
so that he may see the Promised One.
When Simeon received Him in his arms, he joyfully cried out:
This is God, co-eternal with the Father,
and the Saviour of our souls.

A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.

Mary, the Mother of God, carried in her arms
the Lord Who rides the chariot of the Cherubim
and is praised with the hymns of the Seraphim.
He was incarnate of her without human seed;
He is the Lawgiver Who fulfils the precepts of the Law.
She handed Him over into the arms of the aged priest.
Holding the Life in person,
Simeon asked to be delivered from his present life, saying:
Dismiss me now, O Master, that I may tell Adam
how my eyes have seen the eternal God
Who was made man without undergoing change,
and Who brought about the salvation of the world.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

He Who rides on the Cherubim and is praised by the Seraphim
is now being brought into the holy Temple according to the Law.
He is sitting in the arms of an old man as though upon a throne.
From Joseph He receives God-pleasing gifts, a pair of turtle doves,
and from the newly-chosen people of the Gentiles, and undefiled Church.
the two doves indicate that He is the head both of the Old and New Testaments.
As for Simeon, when he saw what had been revealed come to pass,
he received the child and blessed the virgin Mother of God,
pointing out to her the sufferings that she would bear.
He asked the Lord to be released from life, saying:
Now You may dismiss me, O Lord, as You have promised;
for my eyes have seen You, the eternal Light,
the Lord and Saviour of all Christian people.

Troparion

In Tone 1
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection. (thrice)

 

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FESTAL MATINS

The Lord is God, Tone 1

Troparion, Tone 1
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection. (twice)

Glory… Now…
Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,** who grants is resurrection.

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 1
In Tone 1: Let the heavenly hosts marvel at this mystery,* and let those on earth praise in song • as we behold the ineffable condescension of God.* He is now embraced in aged arms,* the One before whom the powers of heaven tremble,* the One who alone loves all.

Glory… Now…
Let the heavenly hosts marvel at this mystery,* and let those on earth praise in song • as we behold the ineffable condescension of God.* He is now embraced in aged arms,* the One before whom the powers of heaven tremble,* the One who alone loves all.

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 2
In Tone 1: The One who is with the Father upon the holy throne* has come to earth and has been born of a Virgin.* The One, whose years are incomprehensible, becomes a babe.* Simeon received Him in his arms and cried out, rejoicing:* Now, O merciful Lord, let me depart in peace,* for You have brought joy to Your servant.

Glory… Now…
In Tone 1: The One who is with the Father upon the holy throne* has come to earth and has been born of a Virgin.* The One, whose years are incomprehensible, becomes a babe.* Simeon received Him in his arms and cried out, rejoicing:* Now, O merciful Lord, let me depart in peace,* for You have brought joy to Your servant.

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Giver of Life,* and we venerate your most pure Mother,* who according to the Law brought You this day into the Temple of the Lord.
verse: The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord whose throne is in heaven.
verse: My heart overflows with noble words. To the King I must speak the song I have made.
verse: May this song make your name forever remembered. May the peoples praise you from age to age.
verse: Holiness is fitting to Your house, O Lord, until the end of time.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Sessional Hymn
In Tone 4: The Ancient of Days becomes a child for my sake.* The most holy God is purified* in order to confirm the reality of the human flesh* which He received from the Virgin.* Simeon, upon beholding this mystery,* acknowledged Him as God revealed in the flesh.* The Elder greeted Him as Life,* and, rejoicing, cried out in his old age:* Let me depart, for I have seen You, the Life of all.

Glory… Now…
In Tone 4: The Ancient of Days becomes a child for my sake.* The most holy God is purified* in order to confirm the reality of the human flesh* which He received from the Virgin.* Simeon, upon beholding this mystery,* acknowledged Him as God revealed in the flesh.* The Elder greeted Him as Life,* and, rejoicing, cried out in his old age:* Let me depart, for I have seen You, the Life of all.

Gradual Hymn, Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
May this song make your name forever remembered. May the people praise You from age to age.
verse: My heart overflows with noble words. To the King I must speak the song I have made.

Let Everything that has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
Luke 2:25-32

After Psalm 50
In Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions
Today the gates of heaven swing open,* for the Word of the Father who has no beginning* has received beginning in time* without any loss to His divinity.* As a child of forty days He is offered by a virgin Mother* in the Temple according to the Law.* The Elder Simeon receives Him in his arms and cries out:* Dismiss me, O Master, for my eyes have seen your salvation;* O Lord, who came into the world to save us, glory to You!

Canon

ODE 1
Irmos The sun shed its rays upon dry land In the middle of the sea. The water on both sides stood firm as a wall while Israel walked across. They sang this hymn pleasing to God: Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O clouds, send down rain; for Christ the Sun, riding upon a swift cloud, is offered by pure hands as an infant into the Temple. Therefore, let us, the faithful, sing out: Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
May the feeble hands of Simeon be strengthened, and his weakened legs be made firm so that he may run quickly to meet Christ. Let us join with the heavenly choirs and sing praise to the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.
Glory… Now…
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; for Christ the Creator, who existed from all eternity as one of the Trinity, is now offered in the Temple to God the Father as a newborn infant by is virgin Mother. Let us praise the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified.

ODE3
Irmos O Lord, the solid rock of those that place their trust in You, strengthen the Church which You have purchased with your precious blood.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The only-begotten of the Father before all ages comes forth from the all-pure Virgin as a firstborn child, and He extends his hands to Adam.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
God the Word appeared as a child to raise up Adam from his childishness into which he had fallen through deception.
Glory… Now…
Having become an infant without undergoing any change, the Creator has refashioned into his divinity our nature which was taken from the earth and will return to it again.

ODE 4
Irmos O Christ, Your virtue has filled the heavens. You were born from an all-pure Mother, the Ark of Your majesty, and You now enter the Temple of your glory as an infant in arms; and the entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The Theotokos spoke out: O Simeon, having witnessed mysteries beyond expression, rejoice and take in your arms Christ the Word who has become an infant. This mystery was foretold to you by the Holy Spirit. Now sing out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Receive with joy, O Simeon, the infant Christ was is the consolation of Israel and the One for whom you hoped. He is the Maker and Master of the Law who Himself fulfils it. Cry out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.
Glory… Now…
Simeon marvelled to behold in the flesh, as an infant, the Word who is without beginning, the Source of all creation who is carried by the Virgin as on the throne of the Cherubim. The Elder cried out to Him: The entire universe is filled with Your glory.

ODE 5
Irmos In a vision Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, surrounded by angels, and he cried out: Woe is me! For I have seen in advance the Incarnate One, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
When Simeon the Elder beheld the Word carried in the arms of his Mother, he recognized Him as the Glory revealed to the prophet. He cried out: Rejoice, O holy Lady, for you are the throne who carries God, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon bent down and reverently touched the footprints of the virgin Mother of God, saying: O pure Lady, I am afraid to hold in my arms the infant God, but you carry Him, the unconsumed Fire, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.
Glory… Now…
Simeon spoke to the Mother of God, saying: One of the Seraphim purified the lips of Isaiah with a burning ember. You fill me with light as you entrust to me, with your hands as with tongs, the One whom you hold, the Lord of the light that knows no evening, and the King of peace.

ODE 6
Irmos When Simeon beheld with his own eyes the salvation which was to come to the people, he cried out to God: O Christ who comes from God, You are truly my God.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
You are a stumbling stone and an obstacle for the disobedient in Sion, but You are the salvation for the faithful whom you will not let be put to shame. You are truly the image of the Father, begotten before all ages; now in your compassion You have put on the limitations of flesh.
Glory… Now…
Now You may dismiss in peace the servant who worships You as Son of the Most High, and Son of the Virgin, God who has become a child.

SMALL EKTENY

KONTAKION
In Tone 1: By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.

IKOS
Let us run to meet the Theotokos, desiring to behold her Son whom she offered to Simeon. The angelic hosts were filled with awe as they beheld Him from their dwelling place and said: Now we see amazing and extraordinary wonders beyond comprehension and expression. The One who created Adam is carried as babe. The One who cannot be contained is held in the arms of the Elder. The One who is infinite in the bosom of the Father voluntarily takes on flesh in a finite manner, for He alone loves all people.

ODE 7
Irmos We praise with fervour the Word of God who sent down dew upon the youths in the furnace as they spoke about heavenly things and who has now taken flesh from the pure Virgin. We sing to Him: Blessed are You, 0 God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon cried out: I leave this earth to declare the good tidings to Adam and Eve dwelling in Hades; and with the prophets he sang joyfully: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
God descended into Hades to deliver those imprisoned there; He gives freedom to all the captives and sight to the blind, and He enables the speechless to cry aloud: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.
Glory… Now…
Simeon foretold to the Mother of God: A sword shall pierce your heart, O all-pure Virgin, when you see your Son upon the Cross. He is the One to whom we sing out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers.

ODE 8
Irmos The three youths stood together in the unendurable fire, unharmed by the flame. As defenders of righteousness, they sang a hymn of praise: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O Israel as you behold your glory, Emmanuel, the Child of the Virgin, now offered before the Ark of God, dance and sing together: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above forever.
Refrain: Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Simeon said: Behold the Child who is God; He shall be a sign of contradiction. Let us sing to Him in faith: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.
Glory… Now…
God the Word, the Source of Life, now becomes a little child; He shall be the downfall of the disobedient and the rising of those who sing to Him in faith: O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord and glorify Him above all forever.

[omit Magnificat]

ODE9
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.

Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

O Virgin Mother of God, Hope of Christians, protect, watch, and save those who have placed their hope In you.

Irmos, Tone 3: In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

O Virgin Mother of God, Helper of the world, protect and preserve us from every care and worry.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

O God-bearing Simeon, come and raise up Christ to whom the Virgin gave birth.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

Simeon the Elder receives in his arms the Maker of the Law and Master of all.

Irmos: We, the faithful, see the figure of Christ in the shadow and the letter of the law which says: Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. Therefore, we extol the firstborn of the Eternal Father and the Virgin Mother.

The aged Simeon does not hold Me; but I uphold him, for he entreats Me to let him depart.

O mystical Tongs, how do you carry the Coal? How do you nourish Him who gives food to all?

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O daughter of Phanuel, come and stand with us, giving thanks to Christ our Saviour, the Son of God.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

The wise Anna, calm in spirit, awesomely speaks out, acknowledging Christ as the Creator of heaven and earth.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O Christ, the King of all, grant the faithful victory over their enemies.

Irmos: In ancient times the people offered a pair of doves and two young pigeons. Now the holy Simeon and Anna the prophetess, filled with faith, ministered and glorified the Child of the Virgin, the only-begotten Son of the Father as He was brought into the Temple.

O pure virgin Mother, the great things done for you are incomprehensible to angels and mortals.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

The pure Dove, the unspotted Lamb, carries the Lamb and Shepherd into the Temple.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

O Christ, King of all, grant me the gift of tears that I may weep for my soul, lost in evil.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

Let us devoutly praise the Divinity, the three Persons who shine with a threefold light.

Irmos: Simeon cried out: You have granted me the boundless joy of your salvation, O Christ. Now take me, your servant, who is weary of the shadow, and make me a new preacher of the mystery of grace, as I extol You with praise.

O Virgin Mary, enlighten my soul which is grievously darkened by the passions of life.

The holy Anna, noble in faith and having the wisdom of years, reverently acknowledged the Master in the Temple; she extolled the Mother of God and praised her before everyone present.

Hymn of Light, Tone 6
Inspired by the Spirit, the Elder Simeon came to the Temple.* He received in his arms the Master of the Law and cried out: O Lord, release your servant from the bonds of the flesh* according to your word, in peace;* because my eyes have seen your revelation,* who is a light to the Gentiles and the salvation of Israel. (3)

At the Praises, Tone 4

In fulfilment of the Law,
the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.
Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:
Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;
for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,
the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.

In fulfilment of the Law,
the Lover of Mankind now is brought to the Temple.
Simeon takes Him in his aged arms and cries out:
Now let me depart to the blessedness of the world to come;
for I have beheld on this day, clothed in mortal flesh,
the One who is Lord of life and Master of death.

As a light of revelation to the Gentiles,
You manifested yourself, O Lord.
The Sun of Justice sits upon a light cloud.
You fulfilled the shadow of the Law
and showed the beginning of the new grace.
Therefore, beholding You, Simeon cried out:
Release me from corruption, for I have seen You today.

When You became incarnate as You willed,
You did not separate yourself from the bosom of the Father.
You uphold the whole world with your hand,
yet You were held in the arms of the ever-Virgin,
and You were handed over to the arms of Simeon, the servant of God.
Therefore, he cried out with joy:
Now You may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, for I have seen You.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O Christ our God, this day You have been pleased
to rest in the arms of the Elder
as You sit upon the throne of the Cherubim.
Deliver us, who sing your praises, from the force of passions,
and grant salvation to our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Entrance
The Lord has made known His salvation;* He has revealed His truth before the nations.

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 1: Rejoice, full of grace, Virgin Mother of God!* From you there dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,* who enlightens those who dwell in darkness.* And you, O righteous Elder, be glad!* You received in your embrace* the Liberator of our souls,* who grants us resurrection.

Glory… Now…

Kontakion, Tone 1 By Your birth, You sanctified a virgin womb* and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon.* You have come also now and saved us, O Christ our God;* give peace to Your community in time of war,* and strengthen its rulers, whom You love,* for You alone,* are the Lover of mankind.

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, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Epistle
Hebrews 7:7-17

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Now, O Master, You dismiss Your servant in peace according to Your word.
verse: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people, Israel.

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40

Hymn to the Mother of God
O God-bearing Virgin, hope of Christians, protect and guard and save all those who put their trust in you.
And the Irmos, Tone 3 In the law, the shadow, and the scriptures, we the faithful see a figure: every male child that opens the womb shall be sanctified to God. Therefore do we magnify the first-born Word and Son of the Father who is without beginning, the first-born Child of a Mother who had not known man.

Communion Hymn
I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia (3).

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

By Your Cross, O Christ our Saviour,
the power of Death has been vanquished
and the deceit of the devil has been destroyed.
Therefore, mankind, saved by faith,
offers You hymns of praise forever.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Lord, all creation has been enlightened by Your resurrection,
and Paradise has been reopened;
therefore, all creation extols You
and offers You hymns of praise forever.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

I glorify the powers of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and I praise the dominion of the undivided Divinity,
the consubstantial Trinity,
Who reigns forever and ever.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

We adore Your precious Cross, O Christ,
and with hymns of praise we glorify Your Resurrection;
for by Your wounds we have all been healed.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the Saviour,
Who was incarnate of the Virgin;
for He was crucified for our sake,
and on the third day He arose from the dead,
granting us His great mercy.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Christ descended into Hades and announced to those confined there:
Take courage, for today I have conquered death.
I am the Resurrection, the One Who will set you free.
I shattered the gates of the realm of death.

In Tone 6

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

When you shall come, O righteous Judge, to execute just judgment,
seated on Your Throne of glory,
a river of fire will draw all men amazed before Your judgment seat;
the powers of heaven will stand beside You,
and in fear mankind will be judged
according to the deeds that each has done.
Then spare us, Christ, in Your compassion,
with faith we entreat You,
and count us worthy of Your blessings
with those that are saved.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The books will be opened
and the acts of men will be revealed
before the unbearable judgment-seat;
and the whole vale of sorrow
shall echo with the fearful sound of lamentation,
as all the sinners, weeping in vain, are sent by Your just judgment to everlasting torment.
Therefore, we beseech You,
O compassionate and loving Lord:
spare us who sing Your praise,
for You alone are rich in mercy.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

The trumpets shall sound and the tombs shall be emptied,
and all mankind in trembling shall be raised.
Those that have done good shall rejoice in gladness, awaiting their reward;
those that have sinned shall tremble and bitterly lament,
as they are sent to punishment and parted from the chosen.
O Lord of glory, take pity on us in Your goodness,
and count us worthy of a place with them that have loved You.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

I lament and weep when I think of the eternal fire,
the outer darkness and the nether world, the dread worm and the gnashing of teeth,
and the unceasing anguish that shall befall those who have sinned without measure,
by their wickedness arousing You to anger,
O Supreme in love.
Among them in misery I am first:
but O Judge compassionate, in Your mercy save me.

In Tone 8, Glory…

When the thrones are set up and the books are opened,
and God sits in judgment,
O what fear there will be then!
When the angels stand trembling in Your presence and the river of fire flows before You,
what shall we do then, guilty of many sins?
When we hear Him call the blessed of His Father into the Kingdom,
but send the sinners to their punishment,
who shall endure His fearful condemnation?
But Saviour, who alone love mankind, King of the ages,
before the end comes turn me back through repentance
and have mercy on me.

In Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,
how can we but be rapt in wonder
at you giving birth to the Incarnate God
who, without a mother, was born of the Father before all ages?
You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,
without a man instrumentality.
He is God and man whose two natures are intact,
neither one losing any of its properties.
Therefore, O Virgin Mother,
intercede with Him to save the souls
of those who believe and confess in true faith
that you are the Mother of God.

Aposticha

In Tone 3

O Christ, Who darkened the sun by Your passion
and enlightened all creation by Your resurrection,
accept our evening prayer; for You love mankind.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

O Lord, Your life-giving Resurrection has enlightened the entire universe
and has revived Your creation which lay in corruption.
Therefore, we, who have been released from the curse of Adam, cry out to You:
Almighty Lord, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, although in Your divine nature You are unchangeable,
yet in Your human nature You underwent change by suffering in the flesh.
All creation was prostrate with fear
when it saw You hanging on the Cross,
and it groaned in sorrow as it sang the praises of Your long-suffering.
But You descended into Hades and arose on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

You suffered death, O Christ, to deliver mankind from death.
And when You arose from the dead on the third day,
You enlightened the world
and resurrected all who acknowledge You as God.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Alas, black soul!
How lone will you continue in evil?
How long will you lie in idleness?
Why do you not think of the fearful hour of death?
Who do you not tremble at the dread judgment-seat of the Saviour?
What defence will you make, or what will you answer?
Your works will be there to accuse you:
your actions will reproach you and condemn you.
O my soul, the time is near at hand;
make haste before it is too late, and cry aloud in faith:
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against You;
but I know Your love for man and Your compassion.
O good Shepherd, deprive me not of a place at Your right hand
in Your great mercy.

Now…

O Virgin who knew not carnal union,
O you who ineffably carried God in the flesh,
O Mother of Almighty God.
O you who obtain for all of us the cleansing of sins
accept now our supplication
and intercede for the salvation of us all.

Troparia

In Tone 3
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to the world.

Glory… Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,* for the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm.* He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead;* He saved us from the abyss of Hades* and granted great mercy to 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 1: When You come on earth, O God, in glory,* and the universe trembles,* while the river of fire flows before the seat of judgement,* and the books are opened and all secrets disclosed,* then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,* and count me worthy to stand at Your right hand,* O Judge who are most just.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms. (Psalm 94:1,2)

Gospel
Matthew 25:31-46

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)

[Note: This feast is moved from January 30 to January 29 due to All Souls Saturday falling on January 30]

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is taken.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Let us glorify the three great preachers of the Trinity,
the instruments of grace and harps of the Spirit,
renowned trumpets of divine preaching
who thundered awesome wonders which were revealed from on high.
John, Basil, and Gregory made known the glory of God
to the ends of the earth.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Let us glorify the three great preachers of the Trinity,
the instruments of grace and harps of the Spirit,
renowned trumpets of divine preaching
who thundered awesome wonders which were revealed from on high.
John, Basil, and Gregory made known the glory of God
to the ends of the earth.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us worthily venerate the defenders of the Trinity.
They are the three apostles added to the Twelve.
They are rivers which overflowed living waters out of Eden.
They nourished the face of the earth with life-giving divine waters .
They are the basic elements of nature,
fashioning not creation but the true faith.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

The prophet spoke of them, saying:
No one who lives or speaks has not heard their voices,
for the famous and excellent works of these sublime and wise teachers
have spread through all the earth and sea.
By their divine laws the ends of the earth are joined together
and preserved in the one true faith.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Let us, who follow their teachings,
loudly sing and praise these instruments of the Holy Spirit.
They are the true trumpets and orators of the Word.
Let us pray to them
since they find favour with the Lord,
that He may grant a strong and lasting universal peace
and forgiveness to all of us.

In Tone 2

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

With what praiseworthy crowns shall we crown the teachers,
distinct ion body but joined together in the Spirit?
They are the God-bearing defenders of the Trinity,
the triad of ministers,
the luminaries who enlighten the world, and pillars of the Church.
Because they conquered all,
Christ our God mercifully gave them crowns of glory.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

With what songs of joy shall we crown the God-bearing mystics and preachers?
They were the most outstanding theologians of the true faith:
Basil the Great who revealed truths about God;
the sublime theologian Gregory, and John the Golden-mouthed.
They are fittingly glorified by the Trinity,
the Lord who grants his great mercy.
With what praiseworthy words shall we honour he holy bishops?
They were comparable to the apostles in rank and gifts through grace.
They defeated heresy and were sanctifiers by word and deed.
They were Christ-like shepherds in the faith.
They were earthly angels and heavenly men.
They were honoured by the Lord of glory,
by Christ who grants His great mercy.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

With what praiseworthy crowns
shall we crown John the Golden-mouthed, Basil, and Gregory?
They are precious vessels of the Spirit
and firm defenders of the faith,
pillars of the Church, the foundation of the faithful, and comfort of sinners.
We honour them as wellsprings which overflow,
refreshing our souls with water.
They ask forgiveness for our sins and great mercy for us.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Let us extol today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,
the God-mantled Fathers,
who, speaking of divine things,
sang a unifying hymn in the midst of the Church:
teaching that the Trinity is One,
not differing in substance or Godhead;
refuting Arius and contending for the true faith;
and who always intercede with the Lord
to have mercy on our souls.

Now…

Who would not bless you, most holy Virgin?
Who would not praise the most pure manner in which you gave birth?
For the only-begotten Son, who eternally proceeds from the Father, came forth from you.
He took flesh from you in a manner that is beyond understanding.
He, who by nature is God, took on our nature for our sake.
Yet He did not become divided into two persons;
rather, He remained one person with two distinct and unconfused natures.
O most pure Lady, we implore you:
Beseech your Son and God to have mercy on our souls.

Readings
(1) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (2) Deuteronomy 10:14-21; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Lytia

In Tone 2

Come, let us praise the earthly trinity of holy bishops
who are ministers of the heavenly Trinity:
Basil, whose name means the kingdom;
Gregory, called the Theologian; and John, the Golden-mouthed.
They are the abyss of those who searched into the wisdom of the Spirit.
They are likened to ocean currents
and ever-flowing wellsprings of leaping and living water.
They are known as elegant pearls and earthly beacons,
the rudders of the Church and trees that produce the most splendid fruit,
the stewards of grace and mouth of Christ.
They are defenders of the Trinity
by whom they were directly enlightened.
They pray unceasingly for our souls.

Let us faithfully praise the flaming coals of the divine Fire,
for we have been illumined by them.
They became inflamed by being united to Him,
and they became luminaries for the world.
They showed themselves to be living strength for the lowly.
In faith they devoutly preached the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Let us also cry out to them:
Rejoice, O three preachers of the Trinity.

In Tone 6

O Holy Trinity, worthy of adoration,
glory to Your wise plan of salvation,
for You have given three great luminaries to us.
They enlighten us by the light of their knowledge of You,
they inspire us by their teachings,
and they shine with the radiance
of your precious desires for our salvation.
Through them the whole world has been enriched with the light of understanding;
it radiates with Your glory and hastens to Your blessed kingdom.
Since You are an all-generous God, O Holy Trinity,
be attentive to their prayers in our behalf
and save our souls, O Lord and Lover of Mankind.

Glory…

Having come together with songs of praise, O lovers of feasts,
let us praise the bishops of Christ
and the glory of the Fathers,
the pillars of the faith,
the teachers and defenders of the faithful.
Let us cry out to them:
Rejoice, O luminary of the Church and immutable pillar, O wise Basil.
Rejoice, O heavenly mind and great hierarch, Gregory the Theologian.
Rejoice, O golden-voiced John, splendid preacher of penance.
O thrice-blessed Fathers, never cease to pray to Christ
in behalf of those who with faith and love
observe your sacred and sublime feast.

Now …

Having come together with songs of praise, O lovers of feasts,
let us extol the boast of virgins and the joy of angels,
the only Theotokos and the strength of believers.
Let us all cry out to her:
Rejoice, O pure virgin Mother,
splendorous luminary and gate of heaven.
Rejoice, O sacred tabernacle and all-pure One
who contained God with your womb.
Rejoice, for without exception you are higher than all the heavenly powers.
Therefore, O Lady and virgin Mother,
do not cease to protect your servants
who in faith and love extol you at all times,
and who bow down to your holy and pure birth-giving.

Aposticha

In Tone 1

Today, let us worthily praise the triad of spiritual mystics,
the speaking trumpets and mirrors of God:
the great Basil and the sublime Gregory inspired with zeal
and the truly golden-mouthed John.
Their teachings pout out a stream of gold for us.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is he death of His faithful.

Let us worthily sing the praises of the foundation of the faith,
the sublime and courageous mind,
the stream that flows with Gold,
the very splendid and precious luminaries
and defenders of the Trinity,
the receptacles of the grace of the Spirit
and unshakeable pillars.

Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy.

O instruments of the Spirit and trumpets of the divine thunder,
O brilliant lights of preaching,
O golden, light-bearing, resplendent lamps of God,
O most blessed Basil, most wise Gregory, and most precious John,
implore Christ our God to save those who honour you.

In Tone 2, Glory…

Today the souls of mortals are elevated above earthly things.
Today they become heavenly beings as the commemorate the saints.
The gates of heaven are opened for us,
and the ways of the Lord are made known to us.
Tongues extol His miracles
and proclaim the words of the Word.
Let us also cry out to the Saviour:
Glory to You, O Christ God,
because through them there has been peace for the faithful.

Now…

Today, Christ is being carried into the temple as an infant.
Today, He who gave the Law to Moses comes under the Law.
The angelic hosts were amazed when they saw Him, who supports all things,
being held in the arms of an aged man.
Simeon, filed with reverence, joyfully cried out:
Now dismiss me, O Saviour, from the temporal life
and let me enter the repose which never rows old,
for I have seen You and I now rejoice.

Troparia

In Tone 4
As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the whole world* intercede with the Master of all to grant peace to the world,* and, to our souls, great mercy. (2)

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ,* the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

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FESTAL MATINS

The Lord is God, Tone 4

Troparion, Tone 4
As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the whole world,* intercede with the Master of all* to grant peace to the world,* and to our souls great mercy. (twice)

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.

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 1
In Tone 5: Let us all praise Basil, the royal adornment of the church,* the inexhaustible treasury of teaching,* for he has taught us to worship the holy Trinity,* which is united in essence but separate in Persons!

In Tone 4, Glory…
Divinely-wise fathers, shining lamps of the Church of Christ,* you have enlightened the world with your teachings,* withering the errors of heresy and quenching the fire of blasphemy!* As Christ’s holy bishops, pray that we may be saved!

Now…
Most-hymned Virgin, Mother of Christ God,* Mary, unwedded Bride of God,* intercession for the faithful, Lady Theotokos,* deliver from all misfortune and need* those who run to your protection with faith and love,* for you alone are the Bride of God!

Psalm Reading and Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn 2
In Tone 3: Gregory the theologian, you were a pillar of the Church.* You were shown to be a treasury of devotion which cannot be taken away!* You enlightened your life with dispassion,* making plain the teachings of the Trinity.* Venerable father, entreat Christ God for the salvation of our souls!

In Tone 4, Glory…
Like bees hovering over the meadow of the Scriptures,* you embraced the wonderful pollen of their flowers.* Together you have produced for all the faithful* the honey of your teachings for their complete delight.* Therefore as we each enjoy this, we cry out with gladness:* blessed ones, even after death,* be advocates for us who praise you!

Now…
Storm-tossed by the triple waves of the passions,* although I am without a conscience, I fervently call on you:* do not turn from me, all pure One, lest I perish in my wretchedness!* You gave birth to the depth of mercy and I have no other hope than you!* Do not let my enemies rejoice over me or use me as a byword,* for I have put my trust in you.* You can do whatever you desire for you are Mother of the God of all!

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol you,* O Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom* and we honour your holy memory,* for you pray to Christ our God for us!
verse: My lips will speak words of wisdom!
verse: Understanding will be my heart’s desire!
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to You, O God! (3)

Gradual Hymn, Tone 4, Antiphon 1

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Your priests shall be clothed with righteousness* and Your saints shall rejoice!
verse: My lips will speak words of wisdom, understanding will be my heart’s desire!

Let Everything that has Breath, Tone 4

Gospel
John 10:9-16

After Psalm 50
In Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the holy Hierarchs,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Now…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions
Grace was poured forth from your mouths, venerable fathers,* and you became pastors of the Church of Christ,* teaching the reason-endowed sheep to believe in the consubstantial Trinity* in one Divinity!

Canon

ODE 1
Irmos Come, people, let us sing a song to Christ our God, who divided the sea and guided the people He had led from Egypt, for He has been glorified!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
People, what thanksgiving, what fitting response, should we offer to our benefactors? For they taught us how to live in goodness!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Let the tongues of the orators, their skill and craft and all the power of their words, now be focussed on this one intention! Let us honour them, and venerate them all together!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
With their minds in heaven, they allowed nothing to be held as their own on earth. They were shown to be guardians and patrons of the community. Therefore let them be considered worthy of our common hymns of praise!
Glory… Now…
With one mouth and one accord, we all glorify you, most immaculate One, as the object of our nature’s common honour.
Katavasia The sun’s rays once shone on dry land in the midst of the deep, for the water on both sides became firm as a wall while the people crossed over the sea on foot offering this song acceptable to God: let us sing to the Lord, for He has been greatly glorified!

ODE 3
Irmos Lord, establish us in You, for You have killed sin by the tree! Plant the fear of You in our hearts as we sing hymns to You!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
The great trumpet of the churches, the lamp illuminating the inhabited earth, the preacher embracing the ends of the earth with his voice: the great Basil summons this assembly!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Brilliant in his life and actions, brilliant in sermons and teaching, shining more than all, as another sun outshining the stars, the greatly honoured theologian is called blessed today!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Behold, the light of the world is manifested to the world! Behold, the salt of the earth seasons the earth! Behold, the tree of life, the golden saint, yields immortal fruit! Let those who wish to escape death come and feast sumptuously!
Glory… Now…
He who brought all things into being from non-existence and granted nature to every creature, knew Himself how to transform the given natures as He desired. Therefore the Virgin gives birth and who would not be amazed?
Katavasia Lord, the firm foundation of those who put their trust in You, strengthen the Church which you have purchased with Your precious Blood!

LITTLE EKTENY

SIDALEN
(Tone 8) Let us, as we enjoy the beauty and grace of their words,* with one voice praise the great and shining lights, the indestructible pillars of the Church:* the wise John of golden speech, the great Basil, with Gregory the renowned theologian.* Let us cry out to them, exclaiming from the depths of our hearts:* three times great and holy hierarchs, pray to Christ our God,* that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your memory with love!
Glory…
You received the wisdom that comes from God, three new apostles of Christ!* By understanding sermons, in simple words through the power of the Spirit,* you framed dogmas set down earlier by the fishermen.* Indeed our faith feeds on the plain nourishment received from you.* Therefore we all cry out: pray to Christ our God,* that He may grant remission of sins to those who celebrate your memory with love!
Now…
Virgin, draw near my lowly soul that is being drowned!* It is without a pilot in the storm of the temptations of life.* It is sinking with sin and in danger of going to the bottom of hell.* Grant it peace and rescue it from perils, Theotokos,* for you are a calm harbour that knows no waves!* Intercede with your Son and God that He may give me remission of sins* for I am your unworthy servant and have you as my hope!

ODE 4
Irmos I have heard the report of Your dispensation, Lord and have glorified You, the only Lover of mankind!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
You acquired the knowledge of lower wisdom, all-glorious ones. Through the wisdom of God, you received a guiding position; therefore you wisely made the lower wisdom serve you as a handmaid.
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Lovers of wisdom, since you loved knowledge, you all learned to speak wise words. You were filled with wonder! You taught the discipline of action and then contemplation.
Glory… Now…
In the last times, the source of everlasting waters, the Creator came down as a light rain, all-blameless One, like drops into your womb, seasonably refreshing those who were fainting.
Katavasia Your virtue, O Christ, has covered the heavens, for proceeding from Your undefiled Mother, the Ark of Your sanctification, You have appeared in the temple of Your glory as an infant in arms, and the whole world has been filled with Your praise!

ODE 5
Irmos Lord, the Giver of Light and Creator of the ages, guide us in the light of Your commandments, for we know no other God but You!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
You permitted the saints to drink deeply from the well-spring of Your gifts which is not diminished in any way by this emptying, but waters the whole earth with the divine streams which flow from them, O Lover of mankind!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
What is gold to me? What are riches, glory and power? Let all things vanish like smoke before the wind! For me the only great wealth is the Trinity of eloquent preachers!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
The river flows with ambrosia and nectar: it is a torrent of the food of immortality for those who hunger and incorruptible drink for those who thirst! Its water is eternally living and sustains the living who drink of it. All of you, partake of its everflowing life!
Glory… Now…
Evil has power against us, but not at the end, for it became weak after the Virgin gave birth to the One who is powerful in strength, who took upon Himself the weakness of the flesh and killed the one powerful in evil.
Katavasia In figure, Isaiah saw God on a throne, lifted high up and borne in triumph by angels in glory, and he cried: Woe is me, for I have seen beforehand God incarnate; Lord of the light that knows no evening and king of peace!

ODE 6
Irmos Tossed about in the deep abyss of sin, I call upon the unfathomable abyss of Your loving-kindness: lead me up from corruption, O God!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Together you three bless the properties of God: the unbegotten nature of the Father, the generation of the Word and the procession of the Spirit Himself.
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
Today salvation has openly and radiantly come to this house, for Christ, in honour of His own name, is present in the midst of the two or three gathered together.
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
The depth of the earth is immeasurably distant from the heights of heaven, yet divine desire has caught up the saints from the earth higher than the heavens.
Glory… Now…
The three divine preachers have you, O Virgin, as a new well-spring and fountain of mysteries. They adopt a new way of speaking from new sources.
Katavasia The eyes of the elder saw the salvation that was come to the gentiles and he cried aloud to you: O Christ, coming from God, You are my God!

LITTLE EKTENY

KONTAKION
(Tone 2) You received Your inspired and steadfast preachers, Your chief teachers* into the enjoyment of Your good things and into repose.* You who alone glorify Your saints,* accepted their labours and death* more gladly than any holocaust.

IKOS
Who can open his lips and move his tongue about those who breathed fire in the power of the Word and the Spirit? Yet I shall be bold to speak a word about what is so great. For these three have transcended all human nature in their many and great gifts, surpassing those who are illustrious in both action and vision. Therefore you counted them worthy of great gifts, for they are Your faithful servants and You alone are glorified in Your saints!

ODE 7
Irmos When the golden image was worshipped on the plain of Deira, Your three youths despised the godless command. Cast into the midst of the fire, they were bedewed and sang: blessed are You, the God of our fathers!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
The former erratic insolence of heresies is vanquished and in retreat and every degraded teaching appears like wax melting in the fire, struck down by your fiery proclamation, O blessed ones.
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
These three avoided the false myths of pagan Greeks and chose persuasion alone to establish their authority among people. Thus they established the truth, moving all the congregations of the faithful and persuading them.
Glory… Now…
Every prophecy is fulfilled and comes to rest in you, amazing those who cry out: O pure One, miracles come from you more radiant than the prophesies, clearly showing the interpreters to be most wise!
Katavasia In the midst of the fire, O Word of God, You dropped dew on the children as they spoke of things divine, and You took up Your dwelling in the pure Virgin! We praise You as we sing with piety: blessed are You, O God of our fathers!

ODE 8
Irmos Let us sing hymns to God who descended into the fiery furnace and changed the flames into dew for the Hebrew children: praise the Lord, all works of the Lord and exalt Him above all forever!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
We perceive and glorify with equal reverence one nature, the powerful Unity and Trinity who orders all by higher words. For so the three God-bearers taught us to worship. Together with them we bow down before the Trinity forever!
Refrain: Holy Hierarchs, pray to God for us!
The three divine preachers were united in conceiving of the Trinity as a Unity. In all things they safeguarded the indivisibility of the divine nature from which they received a share of the one undivided glory which gathers all together for a common celebration exalting the Trinity above all forever!
Glory… Now…
When the Benefactor had received what is ours and had given in return that which is His own, He created but did not suffer, Virgin, for He deified our nature but was not made corruption. He suffered of His own will to set mankind free from the passions through His sufferings as the three fathers mystically teach us.
Katavasia Standing together in the unbearable fire, yet not harmed by it, the children champions of godliness, sang a divine hymn: all works of the Lord, bless the Lord, and exalt Him above all forever!

(omit Magnificat)
 
ODE 9
Irmos The Son of the Father without beginning has appeared to us: God the Lord, made flesh of the Virgin, to give light to those in darkness and to gather the dispersed. Therefore we magnify the Theotokos.
Magnify, my soul, the three great luminaries among the priests!
Behold, your field; the flock for which you undertook the greatest labours! We have assembled to bring you three together. Your good union is our common claim.
Magnify, my soul, the three great luminaries among the priests!
Grace did not wield a doubled-edged sword against her enemies, but a three-edged dagger: the slashing mouths of the three orators! The were one sword forged in heaven, with three tempered blades of tongues ever fighting in defence of the one thrice-radiant Divinity.
Magnify, my soul, the three great luminaries among the priests!
Your citizenship was in the heavens with those clothed in undefiled flesh, glorious ones. Now you dwell with them exclusively, interceding for us who still wear earthly wreaths, that we may remember and work towards higher things.
Magnify, my soul, the three great luminaries among the priests!
The breadth of your great works restricts me, Lady, overwhelming the prudence of my speech. I am at a glorious loss, lacking an answer to my hesitation! So let us glorify Him who has so greatly magnified you!
Katavasia We faithful saw the figure in the shadow of the Law and the Scriptures: every male child that opened the womb was holy to God. We also magnify the first-begotten Son of the unoriginate Father, the first-born Son of the unwedded Mother!

Hymn of Light
Let us praise the God-bearing fathers,* the three radiant lamps shining more brightly than the sun with the light of the Trinity,* the Author of light, the three-sunned Unity,* supernaturally united!
Glory…
Let us all now praise the vessels of light, the lighting bolts of fire:* Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom!
Now…
One God: Father, Son and Spirit,* through the prayers of Basil, Gregory and John and of the all-pure Theotokos,* let me not be cut off from Your glory!

At the Praises, Tone 5

Rejoice, trinity of bishops!
Great bulwark of the church, pillars of righteousness,
strength of the faithful, downfall of the heretics!
You shepherded the flock of Christ with godly teachings
and fed them with many virtues.
You were openly preachers of grace, setting forth laws for the fullness of Christ’s Church!
Heavenly guides and gates of paradise,
pray to Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!

Rejoice, trinity of bishops!
Great bulwark of the church, pillars of righteousness,
strength of the faithful, downfall of the heretics!
You shepherded the flock of Christ with godly teachings
and fed them with many virtues.
You were openly preachers of grace, setting forth laws for the fullness of Christ’s Church!
Heavenly guides and gates of paradise,
pray to Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!

Rejoice, trinity of bishops!
Earthly angels who travelled the heavens,
salvation of the world and joy of all,
champions of the Word and teachers of the universe,
skilful physicians of soul and body, ever-flowing rivers of the Spirit,
watering the face of the earth with your teachings, ladders of theology!
Golden ones of golden preaching,
pray to Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!

Rejoice, trinity of bishops!
Earthly skies reflecting the sun, radiance and lamps of the Trinity,
enlightenment of those in darkness, fragrant and beautiful flowers of paradise,
Theologian, wise Basil and Chrysostom,
tablets of the Spirit written by the finger of God,
nourishing with the milk of salvation!
Adornments of wisdom, pray to Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!

Glory…

Let us sound the trumpet of hymns!
Let us dance to the music of the feast!
Let us leap with joy in the festival of our teachers!
Let kings and princes come together
and let bishops clap their hands in hymns for the three great rivers of doctrines,
rushing torrents of the ever-living Spirit,
pastors and teachers, the three initiates of the sacred mysteries of the holy Trinity!
Let us assemble and let us praise them:
praise them, philosophers, for they are wise;
priests, because they are pastors;
sinners, because they are intercessors;
the poor, for they bring riches;
those in sorrow, for they comfort them;
those who travel, because they journey with them;
those at sea, because they are their guides.
Let all of us everywhere fervently praise the godly bishops, saying:
all-holy teachers, come quickly to rescue the faithful from the temptations of life
and by your prayers deliver them from eternal torments!

Now…

Let us sound the trumpet of hymns!
The Virgin Mother, the Queen of all, bows down from the heavens
to crown with blessings those who honour her with hymns!
Let kings and princes assemble!
Let them clap their hands in hymns for the Queen who gave birth to the King
who was pleased in His love for mankind to loose those held by death.
Pastors and teachers, gather!
Let us praise the all-pure Mother of the God Shepherd,
the lampstand of golden light, the light-bearing cloud more spacious than the heavens,* the living ark, the fiery throne of the Master,
the golden jar of manna, the closed gate of the Word, the refuge of all Christians!
Let us praise her with inspired hymns and say:
palace of the Word, grant us the kingdom of heaven in our lowliness,
for through your prayers all things are possible!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 4: As equals to the apostles in the way you lived* and teachers of the whole world,* intercede with the Master of all* to grant peace to the world,* and to our souls 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: You received Your inspired and steadfast preachers, Your chief teachers* into the enjoyment of Your good things and into repose.* You who alone glorify Your saints,* accepted their labours and death* more gladly than any holocaust.

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 19:5,2)

Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 89:6,8)

Gospel
Matthew 5:14-19

Communion Hymn
Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)

GREAT VESPERS

Blessed is the man… is sung

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,
the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,
the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,
the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.
He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey
for the refreshment of the world.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,
the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,
the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,
the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.
He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey
for the refreshment of the world.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us joyfully sing the praises of Chrysostom, the golden trumpet,
the divinely-inspired organ, the inexhaustible sea of doctrine,
the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind,
the abyss of wisdom, the gilded vase.
He pours forth sweet streams of dogma like honey
for the refreshment of the world.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,
he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.
He is the preacher of repentance;
the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.
His words are a refreshing dew
reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,
he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.
He is the preacher of repentance;
the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.
His words are a refreshing dew
reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Let us worthily honour John Chrysostom,
he is the ever-shining star all nations with the rays of true teaching.
He is the preacher of repentance;
the golden sponge wiping away the despair of sadness.
His words are a refreshing dew
reviving hearts which are worn by sin.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

With joyful hymns let us praise Chrysostom:
an earthly angel and a heavenly man.
He is a sweet and well-tuned harp, a treasury of virtues;
an immovable rock, a model of the faithful,
an imitator of the martyrs, a dweller with the holy angels,
and a companion of the apostles.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

With joyful hymns let us praise Chrysostom:
an earthly angel and a heavenly man.
He is a sweet and well-tuned harp, a treasury of virtues;
an immovable rock, a model of the faithful,
an imitator of the martyrs, a dweller with the holy angels,
and a companion of the apostles.

Glory…

The Church, enriched by your radiant teachings, cries out to you, Chrysostom,
I am nourished by your golden pastures;
I feed at the sweet streams of your words,
by your example, I am led from action to contemplation.
I am united to Christ my bridegroom and reign with him.
Now we, assembled in your memory, cry out to you,
cease not to pray that our souls may be saved.

Now…

O Mother of God, because of You David the Prophet
became an ancestor of God;
he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise
and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:
“The Queen stood at your right hand.”
God revealed you as a life-giving mother,
when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.
He renewed in man His image which the passions had corrupted.
He found the lost sheep in the mountains, carried it on His shoulders,
offered it to the Father, generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,
and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.

Readings
(1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 8:17-21; 9:1-4; (3) Wisdom 4:1, 6-20

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Grace is poured out on your lips, holy father Chrysostom.
The Lord anointed you to be a priest of his people,
to feed his flock in holiness and justice.
Armed with the sword of strength, you cut off the confusion of error:
cease not to pray for peace for the world
and salvation for our souls.

My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart understanding!

Rejoice, father of orphans, sufferer of unjust banishment,
treasury of the poor, food of the hungry,
converter of sinners, skilled physician of souls,
interpreter of holy Scripture, living law of the Holy Spirit:
pray to Christ our God, that He may have mercy on us.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice.

The world is enlightened by your words, brilliant sun,
your charity is a bright star, a shining lamp, and a beacon for all,
guiding to salvation those lost in the stormy sea of this world.
Venerable John, intercede for us.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Holy father, as a loyal pastor you suffered unjustly,
you drank the bitter cup of tribulation and exile.
You received a blessed death, glorifying God for all things.
As a courageous soldier, you overcame the crafty enemy.
Chrysostom, offer our prayers to Christ our God,
who glorified you with the crown of victory.

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 8
The divine Church rejoices* and the whole world keeps feast with radiance* at the transfer of your relics, O venerable hierarch John Chrysostom.* Your life as a bishop was godly* and you willingly became a martyr.* Therefore we cry to you, O martyr, passion-bearer and hierarchs’ companion:* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…
O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

 

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FESTAL MATINS

Hexapsalm

Great Ekteny

The Lord is God (Tone 8)

Troparion, Tone 8

The divine Church rejoices* and the whole world keeps feast with radiance* at the transfer of your relics, O venerable hierarch John Chrysostom.* Your life as a bishop was godly* and you willingly became a martyr.* Therefore we cry to you, O martyr, passion-bearer and hierarchs’ companion:* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin;* through Your death on the cross You conquered death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people!

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1

By brilliant flashes of teachings and precepts,* you enlightened the earth like a great sun. John Chrysostom,* you drove the darkness of ignorance far away!* Therefore, I beg you, free me from the eternal darkness and by your intercessions,* count me worthy of the light of salvation!

Glory… Now…

You alone brought forth Christ with out seed:* how beyond thought is the miracle, Virgin and mother!* Bowing down, we glorify you as Theotokos,* for you gave birth to the King of glory.* Pray to Him to establish peace in the world* and to save our souls!

Kathisma & Little Ekteny

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4

Chrysostom, you were granted by Christ to the Church* as a gleaming, golden, pleasing and divine instrument* sounding forth the words from God!* Sweetly-voiced swallow, shining like gold,* mind robed with gold, harp of repentance,* by your prayers, blessed one, amazing pastor,* deliver those who honour you from temptation.

Glory… Now…

I have fled for refuge to your divine shelter Theotokos* and after God, I call on you with pleas:* have mercy, pure One, for my sins have engulfed me;* I am distracted and tremble in fear of punishments!* Lady, pray to your holy Son, to deliver me from these!

Polyeleos

Exaltation

We extol you,* O Holy Hierarch Gregory the Theologian,* and we honour your holy memory,* for you pray to Christ our God for us!

verse:

Hear this, all peoples!

Give ear all who dwell upon the earth!

Glory… Now…

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to You, O God! (3)

Gradual Hymn

Prokeimenon

(Tone 4) My lips will speak words of wisdom, understanding will be my heart’s desire.

verse: Hear this, all peoples, give ear all who dwell upon the earth.

 

Let Everything That Has Breath (Tone 4)

Gospel
John 10:1-8

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50

Tone 6, Glory…

Through the prayers of the holy hierarch John Chrysostom,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.

Now…

Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse me from the multitude of my transgressions.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions

Venerable, thrice-blessed and most holy father,* good pastor and teacher of Christ the chief shepherd:* you laid down your life for your sheep!* Now, all-praised John Chrysostom,* entreat by your prayers that we may be granted great mercy!

Canon

ODE 1

Irmos I will open my mouth and it will be filled with the Spirit, and I will utter a word to the Queen and Mother, and I shall be seen keeping glad festival, and rejoicing I will sing her wonders.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Spiritually enriched with mysteries, blessed Father inspired by God, you uttered words of doctrines; through which you became a shepherd of the Church, leading it over to a heavenly sheepfold.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You sped towards the height of the ascents of Scripture, and explored its irresistible and unravaged beauty with purity of mind, through which you have been declared a lantern of high priesthood.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You encountered the divine illumination of the spiritual light, Father, and made our minds radiant, while with rightly expounding rays you reduced heresies to ashes and burned them up through the Spirit.

Glory… Now…

Child-birth without knowledge of man is perfected in you; from you the Word above all godhead comes forth, and, keeping you virgin after childbirth, appears as perfect God and man.

Katavasia I will open my mouth and it will be filled with the Spirit, and I will utter a word to the Queen and Mother, and I shall be seen keeping glad festival, and rejoicing I will sing her wonders.

 

ODE 3

Irmos Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in you and cries, You, Lord, are my strength, my refuge and my firmament.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

By the shining out of your holy actions you kept your mind unsullied, and were revealed, O Hierarch, as a mirror of divine splendour.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Truly perfected by the hope of grace, you became a priest of the Gospel of grace.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

The Church, bearing the delight of your words, glorious Saint, beyond the sweetness of honeycomb, spits out the bitterness of heresies.

Glory… Now…

As we revere you, All-blameless Mother of God, a gate and common temple of the divine glory, we are all freed from dangers.

Katavasia Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in you and cries, You, Lord, are my strength, my refuge and my firmament.

 

LITTLE EKTENY

 

SESSIONAL HYMN

(Tone 5) The meadow of the words of the inspired Scriptures, who guides us to repentance; Christ’s Hierarch, who endured temptations of many kinds, as we have been taught by him, let us honour him as is fitting, for he intercedes with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.

Glory…

Hail gate of the Lord, through which none may pass; hail wall and protection of those who flee to you; hail haven without storms and who did not know wedlock; who bore in the flesh your Maker and God; do not cease to intercede for those who hymn and worship your Offspring.

Now…

Your Mother, seeing you willingly hung upon a cross between thieves, O Christ, wounded as a mother in her heart she said: My sinless Son, how you have been unjustly fixed like a malefactor, to a cross, wishing as compassionate, to save the human race.

 

ODE 4

Irmos I heard of your coming, Lord, and was afraid; I knew your works, Lord, and was amazed, for the earth is full of your praise.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Having caught them like fishes with the net of the true confession, Father, you offered the sacred condition of your flock as a sacrifice to God.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Armed with Christ, the helmet of faith, you cut off, as in ecstasy, the heads of heretics; and so a garland of victory has been woven for you.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You appeared as Hierarch and minister of the divine dispensation, and became an initiator and most sacred initiate of the glory of the gifts of the Spirit.

Glory… Now…

We have you, Bride of God, as a wall in temptations and a divine protection in trouble, a fair haven, and a sure mercy-seat for our souls.

Katavasia I heard of your coming, Lord, and was afraid; I knew your works, Lord, and was amazed, for the earth is full of your praise.]

 

ODE 5

Irmos You, Lord, my light, came into the world, a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who sing your praise in faith.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You were revealed as a godlike river for your flock, watering the ploughland of their souls, High Priest, with your godlike gifts.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You made the splendour of your words shine out for us, while you scattered the fog of godless doctrines, appeared like a star which knows no evening.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

By your entreaties to God, stretch out your hand of help to me in troubles, from the harshness of dangers, all-praised servant of Christ.

Glory… Now…

We present you as an unbreakable weapon against foes; we have gained you as anchor and hope of our salvation, Bride of God.

Katavasia You, Lord, my light, came into the world, a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance those who sing your praise in faith.]

 

ODE 6

Irmos Prefiguring your burial for three days, the Prophet Jonas, as he prayed within the whale, cried out, Deliver me from corruption, Jesus, Kings of Powers!

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You drew the abyss of the thoughts of the Scriptures, you were enriched with the inspired doctrines and you dried up, High Priest, the rivers of heresies.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

As you stand at the table of the Master Christ, and are found worthy of his divine banquet, do not cease to ask insistently for pardon for our souls.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Drawing the sword, inspired Father, with the word of the Spirit you destroyed the unnatural growths of godless thoughts and rooted firmly the thoughts of believers.

Glory… Now…

By your child-bearing you escaped the ancient curse, for you conceived joy in your womb, O Virgin, and by giving birth to God you made human nature divine.

Katavasia Prefiguring your burial for three days, the Prophet Jonas, as he prayed within the whale, cried out: Deliver me from corruption, Jesus, King of Powers.

 

LITTLE EKTENY

 

KONTAKION

(Tone 1) The precious Church rejoices mystically* at the transfer of your holy relics* and treasuring them as costly gold* it lavishly grants to those who hymn you the grace of healing,* by your prayers, O John the Golden-mouthed.

 

IKOS

I bow the knee to the Maker of all things, I stretch out my hands to the eternal Word seeking the gift of words that I may sing the praise of the Saint whom he magnified. For he who lives to the ages said to the Prophet: I glorify those who glorify me with faith. He then, who among those of old exalted Samuel, has now glorified his Hierarch. For having traded well he brought the talent with which he had been entrusted to the King. Therefore the One above all being also exalted him. For this reason I the unworthy ask that words be given me that I may have strength to sing his praise. For he is the instructor of the of the world who makes clear things divine.

 

ODE 7

Irmos You saved in the fire your Youths, of Abraham’s line, and destroyed the Chaldaeans with the snare with which they had unjustly trapped the just. O Lord highly exalted, the God of our Fathers, blessed are you.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

As a lover of wisdom, you were united by unbounded love to the love of Christ, High Priest, and so you cried: O Lord, highly praised, the God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You set your feet on the firm rock of the faith, you appeared unshaken by the waves of temptations, and you sang: O Lord, highly praised, the God of our Fathers.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Leading a rational flock you pastured it on the green grass of immortal teachings, and with it you faithfully cried out: O Lord, highly praised, the God of our Fathers.

Glory… Now…

Hope and protection, haven and invincible wall, sure defence you have appeared, All-blameless, for those who cry: O Lord, highly praised, the God of our Fathers.

Katavasia You saved in the fire your Youths, of Abraham’s line, and destroyed the Chaldaeans with the snare with which they had unjustly trapped the just. O Lord highly exalted, the God of our Fathers, blessed are you.

 

ODE 8

Irmos All-powerful Redeemer of all, you came down and bedewed the devout in the midst of the flame, and taught them to sing: All you works, bless, praise the Lord.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Anointed with the oil of the Spirit, you have been revealed as God’s High Priest, like Aaron, blest Father, and you taught us to cry: All you works, bless, praise the Lord.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Ablaze with the unapproachable light you dispelled the fog of error; scatter too the gloom of my passions, High Priest, by your prayers, that I may rejoice and glorify your memory.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

You adorned your sacred robe with the delight of the word, revealer of God, and through both you shone out, as you taught the cry: All you works, bless, praise the Lord.

Glory… Now…

As storm-tossed from the squalls of passions, we take refuge in your haven, Mother of God and Queen, and we cry without ceasing: All you works, bless, praise the Lord.

Katavasia All-powerful Redeemer of all, you came down and bedewed the devout in the midst of the flame, and taught them to sing: All you works, bless, praise the Lord.

 

MAGNIFICAT

 

ODE 9

Irmos The Lord has shown strength with his arm, he has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble, the God of Israel, by which he ,the Dayspring from on high, has visited us, and directed us in the way of peace.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Your clear tongue, like a melodious trumpet sounding the mystery of the word, rouses the faithful and arms them by divine operation against invisible foes.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

Mystically robed in the divine garment, you entered the marriage feast and joy above, and took your place at table with Christ, All-blessed Father.

Refrain: Holy father John, pray to God for us!

With one accord the choir of fathers rejoices and leaps for joy, the company of believers is glad, and the Church of God mystically dances at your memory.

Glory… Now…

Sovereign Lady, who gave birth to the Lamb of God and Chief Shepherd, Christ, rescue the city which honours you from dangers and corruption and the passions of sin.

Katavasia The Lord has shown strength with his arm, he has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble, the God of Israel, by which he the Dayspring from on high has visited us, and directed us in the way of peace.

 

Hymn of Light

Rejoice, queen of cities! Clap your hands and sing! Today you receive the body of your good shepherd and chief pastor! The golden mouth flowing with honey governs and saves you and all the world!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, palace of God! Rejoice overshadowed mountain! Rejoice bush which burned but was not consumed! Rejoice, throne of glory! Rejoice, divine table! Rejoice, golden vessel! Rejoice, brightly shining lamp! Rejoice, Mary, virgin Mother, the light-bearing cloud!

 

At The Praises

In Tone 4

Your holy teachings poured out, all wise one, more brilliant than gold.* They enrich the understanding of the hungry* and dispel the gloom of the passions and bitter winter of avarice.* Therefore we fittingly bless you, Chrysostom, and honour the return of your relics* as a well-spring of holiness.

You were unjustly driven from your flock, venerable father.* You endured tribulation and bitter exile* where you were counted worthy of a blessed end, as a good athlete, trampling down the crafty enemy.* Therefore, in your return the church rejoices* for you adorned her as with gold by your all-wise teachings.

Today the blessed Chrysostom is hymned as a pillar of fire,* a river flowing with the waters of doctrine,* a heavenly intelligence, an all-golden mouth of theology,* the surety of sinners, a divine preacher of repentance,* a brightly shining lamp and a heavenly man!

The imperial city receives your relics, Chrysostom, like a royal ornament.* It is adorned by them and boasts in your words.* It calls the whole world to celebrate and to a divine share in your abundant gifts.* It cries aloud: good Jesus,* You are the glory of your servants!

In Tone 4, Glory…

Father Chrysostom, like a divine river flowing mystically in the beginning from Eden,* passing over the four ends of the earth in your words,* you have watered every faithful person with your golden teaching.* Therefore, since the return of your divine relics has been openly ascribed to your city, John,* pray now that the souls of those who praise you may be saved!

Now…

Look on the entreaties of your servants, blameless One!* Stop all the terrible attacks against us, freeing us from every affliction,* for we have only you as our sure and firm anchor!* Lady, do not let us be put to shame,* for we call on you for our intercession!* Hasten to pray for those who call in faith:* rejoice, Lady, help of all,* the joy and shelter and salvation of our souls!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 8 The divine Church rejoices* and the whole world keeps feast with radiance* at the transfer of your relics, O venerable hierarch John Chrysostom.* Your life as a bishop was godly* and you willingly became a martyr.* Therefore we cry to you, O martyr, passion-bearer and hierarchs’ companion:* Pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…

Kontakion, Tone 1 The precious Church rejoices mystically* at the transfer of your holy relics* and treasuring them as costly gold* it lavishly grants to those who hymn you the grace of healing,* by your prayers, O John the Golden-mouthed.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom* and the meditation of my heart understanding.
verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear all you inhabitants of the world.

Epistle
Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia Verses, Tone 2
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment.
verse: The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter.

Gospel
John 10:9-15

Communion Verse
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. Alleluia. (3)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

By your words of wisdom, Gregory the theologian,
you have glorified Him who is worshipped in Trinity:
the consubstantial Godhead: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
You have withered the vanity of false philosophers,
boldly proclaiming the truth with your godly preaching.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

By your words of wisdom, Gregory the theologian,
you have glorified Him who is worshipped in Trinity:
the consubstantial Godhead: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
You have withered the vanity of false philosophers,
boldly proclaiming the truth with your godly preaching.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Let us sing the praises of the prince of bishops,
the great teacher of the church of Christ,
the mighty organ of the Spirit of God;
the well-tuned lyre, the sweet-sounding harp:
rejoice, depth of divine grace!
Rejoice, heavenly and exalted mind:
Gregory, father and theologian!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

You ascended the mountain of virtue, renouncing all earthly cares.
With dead works you held no fellowship;
as Moses received from the hand of God the tables of the law of life,
so you were given the pure dogmas of your theology,
by which you teach us heavenly mysteries,
Most wise father Gregory.

In Tone 1

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

The grave, the means of forgetfulness, did not close your mouth, father Gregory,
for you have been revealed as the voice of theology,
declaring now to the whole world the teachings of the faith!
Pray that peace and great mercy may be granted to our souls!

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

The grave, the means of forgetfulness, did not close your mouth, father Gregory,
for you have been revealed as the voice of theology,
declaring now to the whole world the teachings of the faith!
Pray that peace and great mercy may be granted to our souls!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

You wisely turned from the hostile and treacherous flesh,
and mounting the heaven-bound chariot, father Gregory,
you were drawn by the virtues as by four horses!
You soared aloft into ineffable beauty!
Now as you delight in it,
grant our souls peace and great mercy!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Through grace you were a faithful mediator between God and men.
Now, as you brought Christ, mercifully turned toward us, father Gregory,
by your bold prayers, never cease to pray to Him, venerable one,
that He may grant our souls peace and great mercy!

In Tone 6, Glory…

Faithful, let us assemble!
Let us celebrate in spiritual songs the prince of bishops and the glory of patriarchs,
the interpreter of the words and thoughts of Christ.
Let us honour him whom God exalted with a heavenly mind:
rejoice, fountain of theology and river of wisdom;
the abyss of divine contemplation!
Rejoice, brilliant star, enlightening the world with true doctrine!
Rejoice, fearless opponent of error and powerful defender of truth!
Most wise Gregory the theologian, never cease to pray to Christ our God
for those who celebrate your God-pleasing and honorable memory
with faith and love!

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) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 8:17-21; 9:1-4; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

 

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Opening your mouth, directed by the Word of God,
you have partaken of the Spirit of Wisdom:
full of grace, you proclaimed divine doctrine, thrice-blessed Gregory.
You have imitated the ceaseless worship of the angelic host,
preaching on earth the triune and undivided Light.
Illumined by your divine teaching we confess the one Godhead in Trinity,
pray for the salvation of our souls.

My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

With your tongue of fire, divinely-inspired Gregory,
you burned to ashes the false teachings of the enemies of God.
You have appeared to us as a man with divine words,
speaking in the spirit of the mighty works of God,
writing for us of the hidden mystery of the Trinity of Persons,
equal in power and one in essence.
You have enlightened the ends of the earth as a radiant sun:
never cease to pray for the salvation of our souls.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

Rejoice, river of God, full of the waters of grace,
gladdening the ransomed people of Christ the King with divine teaching:
rejoice, torrent of delight and inexhaustible sea of truth,
faithful and just guardian of doctrine, undefeated warrior of the holy Trinity,
organ of the Holy Spirit and ever-vigilant mind,
your words explain the deep mysteries of the Scriptures:
pray to Christ, that He may grant our souls great mercy!

In Tone 8, Glory…

You have cultivated the hearts of believers by your words, Gregory:
you have yielded abundant fruit for God:
an ever-green pasture of righteousness.
You have torn out by the roots the thorns of heresy,
cleansing the world by your divine reasoning.
We faithful in joy offer praise to you:
inspired lyre and ever-vigilant mind,
faithful shepherd of the flock of Christ,
never cease to pray to the Word, theologian,
that He will deliver from the wolf all those who honour your memory.

Now…

O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,
Yet You conceived God in the flesh
in a manner which words can never describe.
You thus became the Mother of God on high.
O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants
and grant us the cleansing of our sins.
Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

 

Troparia

In Tone 1
Like a shepherd’s flute, O Father Gregory* your theology vanquished the trumpets of orators,* for searching the depths of the spirit,* beauty of speech was increased in you.* Pray Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory… Now…
O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 1: Like a shepherd’s flute, O Father Gregory* your theology vanquished the trumpets of orators,* for searching the depths of the spirit,* beauty of speech was increased in you.* Pray Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: O glorious saint, your tongue, versed in theology,* loosed the webs of vain philosophers;* you adorned the Church with a robe of true belief woven on high.* Wearing it she cries with us, your children:* Rejoice, O Father, highest mind of theology.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
My mouth shall speak wisdom* and the meditation of my heart understanding.
verse: Hear these things, all you nations; give ear all you inhabitants of the world. (Psalm 48:4,2)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Give heed, O my people, to my law, incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
verse: I will open my mouth in parables, and proclaim secrets from of old. (Psalm 77,1-2)

Gospel
John 10:9-16

Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Come, let us adore God the Word,
Who was born of the Father before all ages,
and was incarnate of the Virgin Mary;
for of His own free will He suffered the Cross
and submitted Himself to burial,
and arose from the dead to save me, a sinful one.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

Christ our Saviour cancelled the decree that was written against us,
by nailing it to the Cross;
and He abolished the dominion of Death.
Let us glorify His Resurrection on the third day.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Let us, together with the archangels, sing of Christ’s resurrection;
for He is the Redeemer and Saviour of our souls.
He will come again in awesome glory and mighty power
to judge the world which He has fashioned.

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Although You died and were buried,
the angel yet declared You as Master.
He said to the women: Come and see where the Lord was placed;
for He is risen as He foretold,
because He is almighty.
Therefore, we worship You, the only Immortal One,
and we beseech You to have mercy on us, O Giver of Life.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

O Christ, You have abolished the curse of the tree by Your Cross;
You have destroyed the power of Death by Your burial,
and You enlightened the human race by Your Resurrection.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O God and Benefactor, glory to You!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

O Lord, the gates of death opened before You in fear,
and the gatekeepers of Hades were filled with dread at the sight of You.
You smashed the gates of brass and crushed the posts of iron.
Then You burst our chains asunder,
and led us out from the darkness, away from the shadow of death.

In Tone 1

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

I was entrusted with a sinless and loving land,
but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;
in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,
but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.
But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,
with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,
and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;
shut me in Your heavenly storehouse
and save me.

     3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

I was entrusted with a sinless and loving land,
but I sowed the ground with sin and reaped with a sickle the ears of slothfulness;
in thick sheaves I garnered my actions,
but winnowed them not on the threshing floor of repentance.
But I beg You, my God, the pre-eternal husbandman,
with the wind of Your loving-kindness winnow the chaff of my works,
and grant to my soul the corn of forgiveness;
shut me in Your heavenly storehouse
and save me.

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.
For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,
his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.
He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,
and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.
Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,
and of the glorious Victim
who is the Saviour of our souls.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Brethren, let us learn the meaning of this mystery.
For when the Prodigal Son ran back from sin to his Father’s house,
his loving Father came out to meet him and kissed him.
He restored to the Prodigal the tokens of his proper glory,
and mystically he made glad on high, sacrificing the fatted calf.
Let our lives, then, be worthy of the loving Father who has offered sacrifice,
and of the glorious Victim
who is the Saviour of our souls.

In Tone 2, Glory…

Of what great blessings in my wretchedness have I deprived myself!
From what a kingdom in my misery have I fallen!
I have wasted the riches that were given to me,
I have transgressed the commandment.
Alas, unhappy soul!
You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire.
Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God:
Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God,
and have mercy upon me.

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.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

Your Resurrection, O Christ our Saviour,
has enlightened the whole universe;
and, through it, You call back to Yourself all Creation.
Almighty God, glory to You!

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

By the wood of Your Cross, O Saviour,
You have abolished the curse of the tree;
by Your burial You have destroyed the power of death;
and by Your Resurrection You enlightened the human race.
We, therefore, cry out to You:
O Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, when You were nailed to the Cross,
the distorted nature of creation was made manifest.
The soldiers showed their inhumanity by piercing Your side with a lance,
and the people showed their ignorance of Your power
by asking that Your tomb be sealed.
But, in Your mercy, You accepted burial
and then arose on the third day.
O Lord, glory to You!

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Christ, Giver of Life,
You freely endured the Passion for the sake of mortals.
In Your power You descended into Hades;
and snatching, as from a mighty monster, the souls of those who awaited Your coming,
You placed them in Paradise.
Therefore, show Your great mercy to us who glorify Your Resurrection,
and cleanse our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

I have wasted the wealth which the Father gave to me,
and in my wretchedness I have fed with dumb beasts.
Yearning after their food, I remained hungry and could not eat my fill.
But now I return to the compassionate Father
and cry out with tears:
I fall down before Your loving-kindness,
receive me as a hired servant, and save me.

Now…

Christ the Lord, my Maker and Saviour,
came out of your pure womb in the likeness of me, O Woman without stain,
and He delivered Adam from the original curse.
Therefore, O Woman all pure,
since you are the Mother of God and a true Virgin,
we never tire of calling to you the salutation of the angel:
“Hail, O Lady,
O our intercessor, our shield,
and the Redemptress of our souls!”

Troparia

In Tone 2
When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

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.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: When You went down to death, O Life Immortal,* You struck Hades dead with the blazing light of Your divinity.* When You raised the dead from the nether world,* all the powers of heaven cried out:* “O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory be to You!”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Foolishly have I fled from Your glory, O Father,* wasting the wealth You gave me on vices.* Therefore, I offer You the words of the Prodigal:* Loving Father, I have sinned before You.* Take me, for I repent, and make me as one of Your hired hands.

Prokeimenon, Tone 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord will hear you in the day of tribulation; the name of the God of Jacob will shield you.
verse: Lord, grant victory to the king and hear us in the day that we shall call upon You. (Psalm 19:2,10)

Gospel
Luke 15:11-32

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

A heavenly angel was sent beforehand to announce your birth, father Euthymius.
Like John, you came from the womb of a barren woman
and you showed yourself to be his follower.
You were a homeless one who spurned possessions,
sharing his way of life.
Like the Baptist, you sustained yourself in the mountains,
shining forth with boundless miracles!

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

A heavenly angel was sent beforehand to announce your birth, father Euthymius.
Like John, you came from the womb of a barren woman
and you showed yourself to be his follower.
You were a homeless one who spurned possessions,
sharing his way of life.
Like the Baptist, you sustained yourself in the mountains,
shining forth with boundless miracles!

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

You brought forth fruit from barrenness, father Euthymius.
You were shown to have many children indeed,
for the desert that once was trackless was filled with monastics,
your spiritual offspring.
Pray now that our souls may be granted peace and great mercy!

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

You excelled in your life, father Euthymius,
and your faith was truly orthodox.
Through activity you reached the highest vision
and became a dwelling of wisdom.
You worshipped Christ in two natures as one of the Trinity.
Pray to Him on our behalf!

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

You shared in the sufferings of Him
who was stretched upon the cross, father Euthymius.
Through asceticism you conformed yourself indeed to His resurrection and glory!
Entreat Him now that he may grant our souls
peace and great mercy!

In Tone 4

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

You were sanctified from your mother’s womb
when the eye of Him who sees all things perceived
your purpose and desire ever leading towards higher things.
Most blessed one, He declared you to be a gift of God,
the namesake of good courage.
He loosed the sorrow of your parents.
You advanced from infancy pleasing God, our Benefactor.
Beseech Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Christ found you to be a clear mirror of divine revelations.
He enlightened you with the radiant splendour of His light.
He filled you with divine gifts, father.
You were revealed to be a source flowing with healings,
a feeder of the hungry,watering with rains the desire of those who thirst.
Looking upon souls as pledges, wise one,
by your teaching, you helped them towards God.
Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Your angelic life shone with vision and activity
as a standard and excellent model of virtue
for those who desire to worship God in perfection!
Your divinely-wise teaching, Euthymius,
taught all to worship the Trinity,
that Christ is known to be one in two natures
and that the councils were equal in number to Christ’s four gospels.
Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

In Tone 3, Glory…

As another Samuel, father Euthymius,
you were dedicated to God from your mother’s womb.
Indeed, you were fittingly called by your name,
for you are good courage to all believers,
a foundation and pillar of the monastic way,
a sanctified temple of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for us who honour you,
that we may be granted great mercy!

Now…

O Lady most honourable,
how can we but be rapt in wonder
at you giving birth to the Incarnate God
who, without a mother, was born of the Father before all ages?
You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,
without a man instrumentality.
He is God and man whose two natures are intact,
neither one losing any of its properties.
Therefore, O Virgin Mother,
intercede with Him to save the souls
of  those who believe and confess in true faith
that you are the Mother of God.

Readings
(1) Wisdom 3:1-9; (2) Wisdom 5:15-6:3; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, venerable father,
for you are the cause of good courage for the Church!
By your birth all the assaults of heretics were repelled by the providence of God!
Therefore he named you Euthymius, or good courage.
You filled the ranks of heavenly beings with joy by the brilliance of your life!
Now as you make your dwelling with them, filled with light,
and enjoy the most blessed and divine radiance,
entreat Christ that He may grant great mercy to our souls.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!

Made firm by the staff of the cross,
you dried up the sea of iniquity.
Spiritually watered by the stream of divine sweetness and the rivers of paradise,
you revealed springs of salvation in the desert!
You were watered like a palm tree with streams of the divine Spirit.
You hastened to the heights of heaven, venerable one,
showing yourself a fiery pillar of light-bearing radiance.
Therefore, divinely wise one,
entreat Christ that He may grant great mercy to our souls!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; who greatly delights in is commandments!

You have passed over indeed with joy and gladness of soul
to the wonderful tabernacle, the house of God.
There, most blessed father, you listen to the beautiful voices,
the sweet hymns and ineffable delight of those who keep the feast.
You share in their beauty, Euthymius.
This alone you desired as you crucified your flesh and you reached it,
adorned with the righteousness of God.
Entreat Christ that He may grant the world great mercy!

Glory…
You gave your eyes no sleep, righteous father,
nor your eyelids slumber, until you freed your soul and body of passions.
You prepared yourself to be the dwelling of the Holy Spirit,
for you became the companion of the consubstantial Trinity,
for Christ who alone shows us the Father,
came to live in you, all-praised Euthymius.
Pray to Him that our souls may be saved!

Now…

We faithful bless you, Theotokos;
we fittingly glorify you, the unshaken city, the fortified wall,
the fervent intercessor and protector of our souls!

Troparia

In Tone 4
Be glad, O barren desert;* take heart, you who have never known labor.* For a man of the desires of the Spirit* has multiplied your children.* He planted them in godliness* and reared them with self-mastery to perfection in virtues.* By his prayers, Christ God, grant peace to our lives.

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.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 4 Be glad, O barren desert;* take heart, you who have never known labour.* For a man of the desires of the Spirit* has multiplied your children.* He planted them in godliness* and reared them with self-mastery to perfection in virtues.* By his prayers, Christ God, grant peace to our lives.

Glory… Now…

Kontakion, Tone 8 Creation found joy in your precious birth* and in your divine memorial it takes courage from your many miracles.* Grant a rich share of your wonders to our souls, O Venerable Father,* and cleanse the stains of sin that we may sing: Alleluia.

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?

Epistle
Hebrews: 13:17-21

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.

Gospel
Luke 6:17-23

Communion Verse
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear. Alleluia (3).

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

10. Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Accept our evening prayer, O holy Lord,
and grant us forgiveness of sins,
for You alone manifested the Resurrection to the world.

9. The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O you people, walk around Zion and encompass her.
And there give glory to Him Who is risen from the dead.
For He is our God
Who delivers us from our sins.

8. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

Come you people, praise and worship Christ.
Glorify His Resurrection from the dead;
for He is our God Who delivered the world
from the deceit of the enemy.

In Tone 1

7. Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:
for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.
Let us humble ourselves before God,
and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:
God be merciful to us sinners.

6. If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

Brethren, let us not pray as the Pharisee:
for he who exalts himself shall be humbled.
Let us humble ourselves before God,
and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican:
God be merciful to us sinners.

5. I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

A Pharisee, overcome with vainglory, and a Publican, bowed down in repentance,
came to You the only Master.
The one boasted and was deprived of blessings,
while the other kept silent and was counted worthy of gifts.
Confirm me, O Christ our God,
in these his cries of sorrow,
for You love mankind.

In Tone 4

4. From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Burning with divine love and radiant with the Spirit,
your soul rose to desire truly infinite love!
You despised flesh and blood, and lived apart from the world,
yet you were united to it by great silence and abstinence.
Therefore you were fulfilled as you desired,
and as a star radiant with blessings, Anthony, you illumine our souls!

3. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Burning with divine love and radiant with the Spirit,
your soul rose to desire truly infinite love!
You despised flesh and blood, and lived apart from the world,
yet you were united to it by great silence and abstinence.
Therefore you were fulfilled as you desired,
and as a star radiant with blessings, Anthony, you illumine our souls!

2. Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

Anthony, you were radiant with divine light
by the grace of the Holy Spirit;
you shattered the flying weapons of the demons;
by your godly teachings you exposed their evil snares.
You were a radiant light for monks: the first to adorn the desert;
a prayerful and skilled physician of the sick,
and the first clear example of the ascetic life.

1. Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

Anthony, pure in heart and soul;
an earthly angel, a heavenly man!
A teacher of chastity, a clear measure of abstinence!
Now you live with your Master, blessed saint.
As you offer Him unceasing praise with the angels, all holy monastics and martyrs,
set free from sin and danger those who ever keep your holy memory.

In Tone 8, Glory…

Almighty Lord, I know how great is the power of tears.
For they led up Hezekiah from the gates of death;
they delivered the sinful woman from the transgressions of many years;
they justified the Publican above the Pharisee.
And with them I also pray:
Have mercy upon me.

In Tone 1, Now…

Let us sing a hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary,
glory of the whole world!
She was herself formed by human seed,
yet she became the Mother of the Master, the Gate of heaven,
the theme of the angels’ hymn and beauty of the faithful.
She was seen as being heavenly
and the Tabernacle of the Godhead.
She indeed tore down the wall of enmity between God and man,
and brought peace in its place, she opened up the kingdom of heaven.
Let us therefore cling fast to her for she is the anchor of faith,
and let us receive as our stronghold the Lord Who was born of her.
Be of good cheer, then, and have confidence, O people of God,
for He will fight our enemies for us, He is all-powerful!

Readings
(1) Proverbs 3:13-16, 8, 6; (2) Proverbs 10:31-32; 11:1-10; (3) Wisdom 3:1-9

Aposticha

In Tone 1

O Christ, by Your Passion we have been freed from suffering;
and by Your Resurrection we have been delivered from corruption.
O Lord, glory to You!

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Let all creation rejoice, let the heavens be glad,
let the nations clap their hands with joy.
For Christ our Saviour, in His love for mankind,
has nailed our sins to the Cross;
He has put Death to death,
and by raising our fallen forefather, Adam,
He has given life to all mankind.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O God, You are above all understanding;
You are King and Lord of heaven and earth.
Yet of Your own free will,
You allowed Yourself to be crucified because of Your love for mankind.
When You descended below,
Hades was filled with bitterness as You confronted it;
but the souls of the just received You with great joy.
Adam arose when he saw You, his Creator, down in the depths.
What a wonder this is!
You are the life of all and have tasted death
in order to dispel the darkness of the world with Your light.
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

The myrrh-bearing women were filled with grief
as they hastened with spices to Your tomb;
but they did not find Your most pure body.
Instead, they found an angel
who proclaimed Your unique and glorious Resurrection,
and commanded them to announce to Your Apostles:
The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

In Tone 8, Glory…

We honour you, Anthony our father, the instructor of a multitude of monks!
We have indeed learned to walk rightly in your footsteps!
You are blest, for having laboured for Christ,
you denounced the power of the enemy!
Conversor with the angels, companion of Paul of Thebes!
Together with them, entreat the Lord that He may grant mercy to our souls!

In Tone 5, Now…

My eyes are weighed down by my transgressions,
and I cannot lift them up and see the height of heaven.
But receive me, Saviour, in repentance as the Publican
and have mercy on me.

Troparia

In Tone 1
Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your Kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan!** O only Lover of Mankind.

In Tone 4, Glory…
By your zeal you equalled Elijah, father Anthony,* you imitated the life of John the Baptist;* you founded a city in the wilderness;* you established the Church on the firm foundation of your prayers.* Pray to Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

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.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Though the stone was sealed by the Judeans,* and soldiers guarded Your most pure body,* You arose, O Saviour, on the third day,* and gave life to the world.* And so the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!* Glory to Your kingdom!* Glory to Your saving plan,* O only Lover of mankind.

Troparion, Tone 4: By your life you imitated the zealous Elias* and by following straight paths you emulated the Baptist, John.* O Father Anthony,* you peopled the desert and strengthened the world by your prayers;* intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You rejected earthly worries* and finished your life in silence imitating the Baptist in every way* and so with him we honour you,* O Anthony, most venerable, first of the Fathers.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Let us bring sighs of sorrow to the Lord as did the Publican* and approach the Master as sinners,* for He desires salvation for everyone.* He grants forgiveness to all who repent.* For as God, the One-who-is, co-eternal with the Father, He became flesh for us.

Prokeimenon, Tone 1
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.
verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O you just; praise befits the righteous. (Psalm 32:22,1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord* is the death of His venerable ones. (Psalm 155:6)

Epistle
2 Timothy 3:10-15; Hebrews 13: 17-21

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: God gives me vindication, and has subdued people under me.
verse: Making great the salvation of the king, and showing mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His posterity forever. (Psalm 17:48,51)
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 18:10-14; Luke 6: 17-23

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)