Michael Winn

August 30, 2015
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 5; Post-feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist; Our Holy Fathers and Patriarchs of Constantinople Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

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

With Your precious Cross, O Christ,
You have put the Devil to shame.
With Your Resurrection You have deadened the sting of Death.
We, therefore, glorify You, O only-begotten Son of God.

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

O Christ, Who granted resurrection to mankind,
You were led like a lamb to the slaughter.
Then the princes of Hades were struck with terror
as they saw the gates of their tearful domain being lifted up;
for Christ, the King of Glory, entered therein
and exclaimed to those in chains: Go forth from here!
And to those in darkness: Go forth into the light!

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

What a great wonder!
The Creator of invisible beings suffered in the flesh for mankind,
and rose from the dead as immortal.
Come, therefore, all you nations and adore Him;
for through His compassion we have been freed from the snares of the Devil,
and we have learned to praise the one God in three Persons.

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

We offer to You our evening worship,
O Light Whom the darkness of night can never extinguish.
For in these latter days Your radiance has appeared to the world,
shining in Your flesh as light reflected in a mirror.
Your brilliance has descended even to the depths of Hades and dissolved its gloom.
O Lord, Giver of Light, glory to You;
for You have shown the radiance of Your Resurrection to all the nations.

In Tone 4

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

You are the divine mediator between the old and new testaments,
the prophet and forerunner,
an angel in the flesh, the denouncer of lawlessness,
offspring of the womb of a barren woman,
a mouth breathing fire:
You upbraided Herod who committed iniquity.
Unable to endure your denunciation,
he commanded that your head be cut off!
It was brought in on a platter;
but like food of abstinence and divine delight,
it continued to denounce the adulterer!

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

Incited by her evil mother,
the depraved daughter asked for your all-glorious head,
the head that is cherished by the angels!
For she was unable to endure your denunciation.
Therefore, bearing it on a platter and dancing as she carried it,
she turned the joy of those at the banquet into lamentation.
Yet you continued to denounce the evil of adultery, blessed one.
Entreat Christ that our souls may be saved!

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

Made foolish by drunkenness,
Herod was carried away by adultery and voices carolling in song!
In fulfilment of his unrighteous oath,
he caused your murder, righteous and glorious prophet.
But your death openly announced immortality to those who had died before,
for you became a preacher and herald for those in hell,
proclaiming the saving coming of Christ our God!
Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!

In Tone 1

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

Most blessed Alexander,
you were a shepherd of the Church;
a champion of orthodoxy wisely casting down the Arian heresy!
You prayed with supplications, all-wise and glorious one,
that his wickedness be cast out of the Church!
Therefore, together we honour you!

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

Honourable John,
you disdained the corruption of the flesh,
and in your abstinence and faith, vigilance and confession,
you were found to be an earthly angel and heavenly man!
Entreat Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!

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

You truly submitted to the divine teachings of your namesake!
You hastened to the heights of the virtues,
as to the third heaven, glorious one!
You heard the ineffable and divine words of the Spirit!
As an unshakable foundation of the Orthodox,
by your prayers may the Saviour be merciful to us!

In Tone 6, Glory…

Again Herodius raves with raging lust.
Dance of deceit; feast of murder!
The Baptist is beheaded, and Herod forfeits all peace,
but through the prayers of the forerunner grant us your peace, O Lord!

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

A symbol of the undefiled Virgin and bride
was revealed in the Red Sea.
There, Moses divided the waters;
here, Gabriel is the messenger of the miracle.
There, the Israelites crossed the deep and their feet were not even wet;
here, the Virgin gives birth to Christ without human seed.
There, the sea remained uncrossed after the passing of Israel;
here, the immaculate remained incorrupt after giving birth to Emmanuel.
Therefore, O immortal God, who appeared in the flesh as true Man,
have mercy on us!

Aposticha

In Tone 5

O Christ our Saviour,
we lift up our voices to glorify You.
For, in Your love for mankind,
You became incarnate without leaving heaven;
You accepted the Cross and death;
You cast down the gates of Hades;
and on the third day You arose from the dead
for the salvation of our souls.

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

O Giver of Life,
streams of forgiveness, life, and salvation
poured forth from Your pierced side upon us all.
By accepting physical death, You granted us immortality;
by lying in the tomb, You freed us from Hades,
and as God, by rising from the dead,
You raised us with Yourself in glory.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

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

O Lover of mankind,
Your crucifixion and descent into Hades are most wondrous.
For, as God, You thereby conquered the power of Hades,
and raised up in glory, with Yourself, those who were long imprisoned there.
You reopened Paradise and enabled them to enter.
Grant forgiveness of sins to us
who glorify Your Resurrection on the third day,
for You alone are all-merciful.

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

O Lover of mankind,
You accepted suffering in the flesh
and rose from the dead on the third day.
Therefore, heal the passions of our flesh,
raise us from our dreadful iniquities, and save us.

In Tone 4, Glory…

Herod celebrated an unfitting birthday
and an utterly shameless feast,
for captivated by lust for a woman
and excited by a woman’s wantonness,
he had the head of the forerunner cut off!
But he did not cut out the tongue of the prophet
who denounced his foolishness!
Shedding innocent blood, he wished to conceal his iniquitous sin,
but he could not stop the voice which calls all to repentance!
And though he made merry in the midst of murder,
we lovingly celebrate the blessed slaying of John the Baptist,
for he preceded the Life into hell,
proclaiming Christ our God, the Orient from on high,
the only greatly merciful One,
to those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death!

Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.
Remove the burdens which oppress us,
and deliver us from our sorrows;
for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.
O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you
to be overwhelmed by our cares.
Hasten to fulfill the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:
Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,
the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, acclaim and worship the Word* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh,* to suffer death and to raise the dead,* by His glorious Resurrection.

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…
The remembrance of the just is worthy of praise,* but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner;* for it has shown that you are indeed more worthy of honour than the prophets.* You were found worthy to baptize the Lord whom you foretold.* Thereafter, you suffered for the truth* and, rejoicing, also announced the good news to those in the Abyss* that God had appeared as man,* taking away the sins of the world,* and granting to all of us the abundance of mercy.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us the faithful acclaim and worship the Word,* co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,* and born of the Virgin for our salvation.* For He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to suffer death* and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

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

Kontakion, Tone 5: You, my Saviour, descended to Hades,* and as the Almighty, You shattered its gates.* With Yourself You, as the Creator, raised the dead and shattered the sting of death,* and delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Mankind.* And so we cry out: “Save us, O Lord.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 5: Rejoice, O rampart and protection of those who have recourse to you!* Rejoice, O tranquil haven and Virgin,* who gave birth in the flesh to your Maker and God!* Fail not to intercede for those* who sing and worship the Child you bore.

Prokeimenon, Tone 5
You, O Lord, will guard us and will keep us* from this generation and for ever.
verse: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer left a just man. (Psalm 11:8, 2)

Epistle
2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Your mercies, O Lord, I will sing for ever; from generation to generation I will announce Your truth with my mouth.
verse: For You have said: Mercy shall be built up for ever; in the heavens Your truth shall be prepared. (Psalm 88:2, 3)

Gospel
Matthew 22:1-14

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

August 29, 2015
Beheading of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John

VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

While the birthday of the shameless Herod was being celebrated,
the oath made to the lustful dancer was fulfilled;
the head of the Forerunner was cut off
and offered on a platter to those at table.
What a loathsome banquet, filled with wickedness and horrible murder.
As for us, let us worthily venerate and bless the Baptizer,
for he is the greatest man born of woman.

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

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

After dancing, the disciple of the all-evil Satan
requested your head as her payment, O Forerunner.
What a bloody banquet!
Would that you had not made that vow,
O sinful Herod, offspring of a lie.
Since you did make it, would that you had not carried it out;
for it would have been better to have gone back on your oath and received life
than remaining true to your oath
to have cut off the head of the Forerunner.
As for us, let us worthily venerate and bless the Baptizer,
for he is the greatest man born of woman.

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

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

O Herod, it was not appropriate for you,
because of a satanic passion, to condemn to death
the one who reproached you for your adultery
and the folly of your lust for women.
It was not proper for you to err
and to deliver his all-honoured head to a sinful woman
for the sake of a vow made to a dancer.
Woe to you for daring such murder!
How was it that this adulterous dancer
was not consumed by fire in the midst of the banquet,
as she carried the head on a platter?
As for us, let us worthily venerate and bless the Baptizer,
for he is the greatest man born of woman.

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

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

Again Herodias has lost her self-control;
again she is disturbed.
What a cunning and deceiving dance,
and what mindless drunkenness!
The Forerunner’s head is cut off and Herod is troubled.
Therefore, O Lord, by the intercessions of your Forerunner,
grant peace to our souls.

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

Glory…

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) Isaiah 40:1-3, 9; 41:17-18; (2) Malachi 3:1-7, 12, 22-24; (3) Wisdom 4:7, 16-20; 5:1-7

Lytia

In Tone 1

What shall we call you, O Prophet?
An angel, an apostle, or martyr?
An angel, because you lived as a bodiless being.
An apostle, because you taught the nations.
A martyr, because you were beheaded for Christ.
Entreat Him to have mercy on our souls.

Let us commemorate the beheading of the Forerunner.
At that time, blood poured out on the platter;
now healings are poured out throughout the world.

Today the mother is the cause of a shameful and murderous act,
for she urges her shameless daughter who was born of an unlawful union
to plot against the one whom God called the greatest of the prophets.
When the evil Herod celebrated his birthday with a banquet,
she asked for the precious head of the divine Forerunner.
Because of his oath, Herod delivered the head
as a price for the daughter’s dancing.
But the prophet of the coming of Christ
did not cease to denounce the union which was reproved by God.
He denounced it, saying:
It is not lawful for you to commit adultery with your brother Philip’s wife.
O the murderous birthday and feast overflowing with blood!
On this day of the beheading of the Prophet and Forerunner,
we the faithful celebrate in joy as in festive garb,
and we pray that the Trinity may be compassionate to us,
and deliver us from the disgrace of our passions,
and that our souls may be saved.

In Tone 4

An evil birthday and a lustful banquet is celebrated by Herod today;
for having delighted in adultery and being driven by lustful desires,
he beheaded the Baptist.
But he could not stop the tongue of the Prophet
which condemned his foolishness.
He spilled innocent blood to cover up his unlawful deeds,
but he could not cover the voice who called the world to repentance.
And if he took pleasure in the murder,
we celebrate with all our heart the death of John the Baptist.
For he preceded the Life of all into Hades
to announce to those in darkness and the shadow of death
the coming of Christ our God, the Orient from on high,
whose mercy is beyond measure.

Come, O people, let us exalt the Prophet, Martyr, and Baptizer of the Saviour.
He is an angel in the flesh.
He has condemned Herod and convicted him of unlawful adultery.
Because of the unlawful dancing, his precious head is cut off.
He is in Paradise and is preaching the good news of the resurrection from the dead.
He is fittingly praying to the Lord that our souls may be saved.

Come, O faithful, let us exalt the Prophet, Martyr, and Baptizer of the Saviour.
He fled into the desert and remained there,
nourishing himself on locusts and wild honey.
He rebuked the king who violated the law.
And he comforts our faint-heartedness, saying:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

In Tone 5, Glory… Now…

When Herod wished to free himself from the rebuke of his sinful deeds,
he delivered your head unjustly, O Forerunner,
to a transgressing woman.
Nor did this wretched one realize that offering it on a platter
was a condemnation for him.
Therefore, since you are a practical teacher of purity
and a saving guide to repentance,
O Baptizer, implore Christ
to deliver us from the shame of our passions.

Aposticha

In Tone 2

O John the Baptizer and preacher of repentance,
you sanctified the earth when you were beheaded.
You made plain to believers the law of God,
abolishing disobedience to the law.
Therefore, since you stand by the throne of Christ the heavenly King,
beseech Him to have mercy on our souls.

The just will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

O most holy John, your head was cut off for preaching the law of the Lord,
for in blameless privilege you reproached the unbelieving king
when he disobeyed the law.
Therefore, the hosts of angels wonder at you,
and the ranks of apostles and martyrs praise you.
We also honour your yearly memorial, O most noble one,
glorifying the holy Trinity
who has crowned you, O blessed Forerunner.

The just one is glad In the Lord and takes refuge In Him.

Born of the prophet Zechariah, he was the greatest of the prophets
and was sanctified from his mother’s womb for the service of the Lord.
Today he was beheaded by an evil king.
Both before and after his beheading,
his head was a living reproach for the maiden who danced indecently,
thus covering one sin with another.
Therefore, we call out:
O John the Baptizer, having acquired favour with the Lord,
beseech Him unceasingly for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 8, Glory…

You rebuked kings, O Forerunner of the Saviour,
that they might not act contrary to the law.
But the frolicking of a sinful woman
won over Herod to behead you.
Therefore, your name is praised
from the place of the rising to the place of the setting of the sun.
And since you have favour with the Lord,
beseech Him unceasingly for the salvation of our souls.

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 2

The remembrance of the just is worthy of praise,
but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner;
for it has shown that you are indeed more worthy of honour than the prophets.
You were found worthy to baptize the Lord whom you foretold.
Thereafter, you suffered for the truth
and, rejoicing, also announced the good news to those in the Abyss
that God had appeared as man,
taking away the sins of the world,
and granting to all of us the abundance of mercy. (Twice)

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 given birth to Christ, the Deliverer and Saviour of our souls.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: The just man is remembered with praises,* but for you the Lord’s testimony suffices, O Forerunner,* for you truly became more honourable than the prophets* and were deemed worthy to baptize the One foretold.* Then you suffered for the truth and joyfully announced to those in Hades* that God appeared in the flesh taking away the sin of the world* and offering us 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 5: The Forerunner’s glorious beheading* came to be a form of dispensation divine* that he might proclaim to those in Hades* the message of the coming of the Saviour.* Lets Herodias shed tears of lament* for a lawless murder that was her request;* for she loved a false and transitory age* rather than God’s law and the age of life.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord and shall hope in Him.
verse: Hear, O God, my voice when I make my petition to You. (Psalm 63:11,2)

Epistle
Acts 13:25-32

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; and he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon.
verse: They who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13,14)

Gospel
Mark 6:14-30

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

August 23, 2015
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 4; Leave-taking of the Dormition of the Theotokos

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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.

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!

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.

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.

In Tone 1

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

O what a wonder! The Source of Life is placed in a tomb;
the grave becomes a ladder to heaven.
Rejoice, Gethsemane, holy chamber of the Mother of God!
As for us, O faithful,
let us cry out with Gabriel, the prince of angels:
Rejoice, O woman full of grace, the Lord is with you,
the Lord, Who because of you, bestows great mercy upon the world.

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

O Lady, marvellous are your mysteries.
You have become the throne of the Most High,
and today you are taken from earth to heaven.
Your glory shines forth with the radiance of divine grace
and surpasses every other splendour.
Rise up to the heavens, all you virgins,
together with the Mother of our King, and cry out:
Rejoice, O Woman full of grace, the Lord is with you,
the Lord, Who because of you,
bestows great mercy upon the world.

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

Behold, all the heavenly hosts,
the Dominations, Thrones, and Principalities,
Virtues, Powers, Cherubim, and Seraphim,
sing a hymn of glory to your Dormition.
The entire human race rejoices at your glory;
and kings, together with the Angels and Archangels, sing out to you:
Rejoice, O Woman full of grace, the Lord is with you,
the Lord, Who because of you,
bestows great mercy upon the world.

In Tone 4

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

The heavens rejoice in your glorious Dormition,
and the angelic hosts are filled with joy;
all the universe is exalting
as they sing hymns of farewell to you,
O Mother of the Master of the universe,
O all-holy Virgin who did not know wedlock.
You have delivered mankind from the condemnation of old.

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

At the divine command
the chosen apostles hastened from the ends of the universe to bury you;
and, seeing you carried from earth to heaven,
they praised you with the words of Gabriel:
Rejoice, O bearer of the entire Divinity!
Rejoice, O Virgin, for you alone brought heaven and earth together
in giving birth to your Son.

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

You have given birth to Life,
and now by your holy Dormition
you have crossed the borders into eternal life.
The Angels, Principalities, and the Virtues,
the prophets, the apostles, and all creation form a procession,
and your Son receives your pure soul into His immaculate hands,
O Virgin Mother and Bride of God.

In Tone 1, Glory… Now…

The holy apostles were taken up from every corner of the world
and carried upon clouds by the command of God.
They gathered around you pure body, O Source of Life,
and kissed it with reverence.
As for the most sublime powers of heaven,
they came with their own leader
to escort and to pay their last respects to the most honourable body
that had contained Life itself.
Filled with awe, they marched together with the apostles in silent majesty,
professing to the princes of heaven in a hushed voice:
Lift up your gates and receive, with becoming majesty,
the Mother of the Light that never fades,
because, through her, salvation was made possible for mankind.
She is the One upon whom no one may gaze,
and to whom no one is able to render sufficient glory;
for the special honour that made her sublime is beyond understanding.
Therefore, O Most Pure Mother of God,
forever alive with your Son, the Source of Life,
do not cease to intercede with Him
that He may guard and save Your people from every trouble;
for you are our intercessor.
To you we sing a hymn of glory
with loud and joyful voice, now and forever.

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.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Mother of God,
at the time you were carried up to the One born of you
in a manner beyond understanding,
James and Peter were present;
James, the brother of the Lord and first bishop,
and Peter, the honourable head of the apostles and prince of theologians.
The whole college of apostles was also there,
all in one accord proclaiming things divine,
praising the astounding mystery of Christ,
and with joy, preparing your body, O most glorious One,
source of Life and temple of God.
The most holy angelic powers,
were rapt in wonder at the sight of this miracle,
and they said to each other:
Lift up your gates to receive the Mother of the Creator of heaven and earth.
Come, let us all sing hymns to her noble and holy body
that has contained the invisible Lord.
Therefore, we also celebrate your feast;
and, O woman worthy of all praise, we cry out:
O glorious Lady, exalt the Christian peoples
and intercede with Christ God that He may save 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.”

In Tone 1, Glory… Now…
In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers* you deliver our souls from death.

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.”

Troparion, Tone 1: In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers* you deliver our souls from death.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: My Saviour and Deliverer from the grave* as God raised out of bondage the children of the earth* and shattered the gates of Hades;* and as Master, He rose on the third day.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and unfailing hope of patronage,* for, as the Mother of Life, she was transferred to life* by Him Who had dwelt in her ever-virgin womb.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
verse: Because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 16:13-24

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Rise up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness.
verse: The Lord swore an oath to David, and will not go back on His word. (Psalm 131:8, 11)

Gospel
Matthew 21:33-42

Hymn to the Mother of God
Seeing the pure one’s falling asleep, angels marvelled in wonder how the Virgin could ascend from earth to heaven.
And the Irmos: O pure Virgin, in you are conquered the bounds of nature,* for childbirth remains virginal and death is betrothed to life.* Virgin after childbearing and alive and death, O Mother of God,* never cease to save your inheritance.

Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)

August 16, 2015
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 3; Post-feast of the Dormition; Transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Holy Icon “Not Made with Hands” of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, also Called the Holy Veil

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Tone 2

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

With unworthy lips we praise the Theotokos
who is more venerable than all creation
and more holy than the Cherubim and all the angels in heaven.
She is the unshakable throne of the King.
She is the house in which the Eternal One made His abode.
She is the salvation of the world and the sanctuary of God.
In her holy memory He richly gives great mercy to the faithful.

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

O Virgin, what awesome hymns did the apostles of the Word,
standing around your bier, offer up at that time to you?
They cried out in amazement:
The palace of the King is departing.
The holy Tabernacle is being exalted.
Lift up, O you gates, for the Portal of God will enter in joy,
and, without ceasing, she beseeches great mercy for all the world.

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

What spiritual hymns shall we offer to you today, O all-holy One?
The whole world has been sanctified by your Dormition.
You have departed into heaven to contemplate the beauty of the Almighty.
As Mother you rejoice together with Him.
The angelic ranks solemnly accompanied you, O pure One.
Together with them, ask for peace and great mercy
for us and for the souls of the just.

In Tone 2

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

With what eyes shall we earth-dwellers gaze upon Your image, O Christ?
The hosts of angels cannot look upon it without fear;
it flashes with rays of divine lightning.
It triumphs over the assaults of godlessness today.
It sojourns among a royal priesthood, a pious people.
Its coming brings joy to all Orthodox Christians,
who fall before it in faith and fear!

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

How shall we creatures of dust look upon Your image, Word?
How shall we, polluted in sin, dare to gaze upon the face of our sinless God?
How shall we, paralyzed in corruption,
come before the unapproachable One?
The cherubim veil their faces, not daring to look upon You;
the seraphim who carry You cannot gaze upon Your glory!
In fear they serve You, Creator!
Do not condemn us, merciful Christ,
for we embrace Your image in faith.

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

The praiseworthy day of the Master has come again!
He Who is enthroned on high now looks down upon us,
through the eyes of His most pure image.
He Who is above the cherubim, upon Whom none may gaze,
is made visible, as the scriptures say,
to those with whom He shares His own likeness,
for You wondrously fashioned us in Your image,
by the most pure finger of the Father,
and by worshipping You in faith, we are made pure.

In Tone 8, Glory…

O Master and Lover of mankind,
Your creation has been blessed for generations of generations
through the great depth of Your providence.
You sent to Abgar the icon of Your most venerable face
which had been fashioned by You
who are invisible to the Cherubim in Your divinity.
May we who gaze upon the icon be inflamed with Your love;
for You became incarnate,
suffered the passion willingly for our sake,
and poured out great mercy upon us.

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 6, Glory…

You became incarnate as You willed, Lord:
You desired to assume our poverty
to show forth the riches of compassion,
by which You have deified me, who am dust!
We glorify You, Lover of mankind,
as we gaze upon the image of Your countenance.
Grant Your servants unhindered entry into Eden, Saviour,
overlooking all our transgressions.

In Tone 8, Now…

Jesus, your Son and our God, O Theotokos,
confirming His two natures,
dies as a Man and arises as God!
It was His good pleasure, Mother of God,
that you also die lest unbelievers consider His dispensation a fantasy!
You were translated to the Kingdom of heaven, celestial Bride
taken up from the earth as from your dwelling chamber.
The air was sanctified by your passage
as the earth was illumined by your giving of birth.
The apostles send you forth and the angels bear you up.
As they buried your all-pure body, singing funeral hymns for you
they gazed in awe and spoke with fear:
This change is from the right hand of the Most High,
for He dwelt within you,
and you shall never be shaken!
All-hymned Mother, do not cease to watch over us,
for we are your people and the sheep of your pasture:
We call on your name,
asking salvation and great mercy for your sake.

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.

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.

Kontakion, Tone 3: You rose from the tomb, O compassionate Lord,* and led us out from the gates of death.* Today Adam exults and Eve rejoices,* and the prophets together with the patriarchs* unceasingly acclaim the divine might of Your power.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Epistle
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Gospel
Matthew 19:16-26

Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)

August 15, 2015
The Dormition of the Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

VESPERS

Kathisma
Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 4

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

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

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

In Tone 1, Glory… Now…

Readings
(1) Genesis 28:10-17; (2) Ezekiel 43:27 – 44:4; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11

Lytia

In Tone 1

Because the disciples had been both the eyewitnesses and servants of the Word,
it was also fitting that they should witness the final mystery,
the Dormition of His Mother according to the flesh.
They not only saw the ascension of the Saviour from earth to heaven,
but they were also witnesses to the translation of the Mother who bore Him.
They came to Zion to escort the Virgin, who surpasses the Cherubim,
as she hastened in her journey to heaven.
With them, let us also bow low
before the One who intercedes for our souls.

In Tone 2

She is higher than the heavens,
more glorious than the Cherubim,
and more honourable than all creation.
Her outstanding purity became the dwelling place of eternal divinity.
Today she places her all-pure soul into the hands of her Son.
With her, the universe is filled with joy,
and the grace of salvation is given to us.

The most pure Spouse, the Mother of the One in Whom the Father is well-pleased,
she whom God had chosen to become the dwelling place of His natures
that had been united without confusion,
today delivers her most pure soul to her divine Creator.
The angels welcome her in a divine manner,
and the Mother of Life is now transferred to life.
She is the lamp of the inaccessible brightness,
the hope of our souls, and the salvation of believers.

In Tone 3

Come, all you ends of the earth,
let us praise the blessed passing of the Mother of God.
She delivers her sinless soul into the hands of her Son;
through her holy Dormition the world is given new life.
With psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles,
the whole world celebrates in joy
together with the angels and apostles.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Come, all you lovers of the feast,
let us form choirs and fill the Church with our hymns
in honour of the falling asleep of the Ark of God.
Today heaven indeed opens its bosom
to receive the Mother of the One whom the universe cannot contain.
The earth gives back the Source of Life
and receives the blessing of the Lord.
The choir of angels and apostles look with awe
as they see the One who gave birth to the Prince of Life
now herself pass from life to life.
Let us all bow together before her and say:
O Lady, do not forget the children of your house
who celebrate your holy Dormition in faith.

Now…

O people, sing to the Mother of our God;
for, on this day, she delivers her radiant soul into the most pure hands
of the One Who took flesh of her without seed.
In His presence she intercedes unceasingly
that He grant peace and great mercy to the world.

Aposticha

In Tone 4

All you peoples of the earth
sing together a hymn of glory
to the pure and most holy Virgin
from whom the Word of God came to us,
receiving flesh from her in a manner beyond understanding.
Let us cry out: Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is your womb that contained Christ,
into whose hands you committed your soul.
O pure Virgin, intercede with Christ that He may save our souls!

Go up, O Lord, to the place of Your rest, You and the ark of Your strength.

O pure and most holy Virgin,
the choirs of angels in heaven and the assembly of people on earth
sing the praises of your glorious Dormition;
for you have become the Mother of the Creator of all, Christ our God.
We beg you to intercede constantly for us;
for, next to God, we have placed our hope in you,
O most glorious and ever-virgin Mother of God.

The Lord swore an oath to David; He will not go back on His word.

With all the people of the earth,
let us sing to Christ the hymn of praise that David has sung of old.
Together with her escort of virgins,
with happiness and rejoicing, she will be led to the King;
for the fruit of David’s seed,
the One through whom we have been led to God,
has been lifted up to glory by her Son and Master
in a way that defies description.
Since she is the Mother of God,
we sing to her a hymn of glory and cry out:
Deliver us from all harm and guard our souls from tribulations.
We confess and proclaim that you are the Mother of God.

Glory… Now…

Troparion

In Tone 1

In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers* you deliver our souls from death. (thrice)

FESTAL MATINS

The Lord is God, Tone 1

Troparion, Tone 1
In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers* you deliver our souls from death. (twice)

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 1
The venerable choir of the divine apostles* was reunited in a marvellous manner* to bury your most pure body, O glorious Mother of God.* With them the multitude of angels also sang in honour of your passage to heaven* which we now celebrate in faith.

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 3
In giving birth, your conception was without seed;* in falling asleep, your body did not undergo corruption.* You have passed from one miracle to another, O Mother of God.* How did the Virgin who knew not man nourish an infant?* And how did the Mother of God know death?* Therefore, with the angels we cry out to you:* Rejoice, for you are full of grace.

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol you,* O all-pure Mother of Christ our God,* and we honour* your all-glorious Dormition.
verses:
Shout joyfully to the Lord all the earth; sing praise to his name; give to Him glorious praise…
Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest, You and the ark of your strength…
I will make your name remembered from generation to generation…
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3 times)…

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
Tell us, O David, what feast is now being celebrated?* The one, he said, of which I sang in the book of the Psalms.* Christ has transferred into the dwelling place above* the One who is virgin, daughter, and servant of God,* she who bore Him in her womb without seed.* Therefore, mothers and daughters and Christian spouses sing with joy and say:* Rejoice, O Virgin who has passed into the heavenly kingdom.

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Gradual Hymns
Take 1st antiphon of Sunday, Tone 4

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
I will make your name remembered* from generation to generation.
verse: Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words.

Let Everything That Has Breath (Tone 4)

Gospel
Luke 1:39-49

Psalm 50

After Psalm 50
Tone 6, Glory…
Through the prayers of the Theotokos,* O merciful Lord,* cleanse us from the multitude of my transgressions.

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

Have mercy on me, God, in your loving kindness, according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
O Tabernacle all-pure,* when the translation of your body took place,* the apostles gathered around your bier with fear and trembling.* They gazed upon you and were filled with awe.* In tears, Peter cried out to you:* O Virgin,* I see you laid out as one dead,* yet you gave birth to the Life of the universe.* I am struck with amazement,* for in you dwells the One who shall be our joy in the life beyond.* O pure Virgin, intercede unceasingly with your Son and God* to save the Christian people.

Canon

Ode 1, Tone 1
(Irmos) Your holy and noble death, O Virgin, is adorned with the splendid robe of divine glory. It brings all the faithful together in joy. Led by Miriam, with dances and timbrels they praise your only-begotten Son, for He has been greatly glorified.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The heavenly choirs encircled your holy body in Sion while the choir of apostles, assembling from the ends of the earth, stood beside you, O Theotokos. Along with them, we also honour your holy memory, O most pure Virgin.
Glory… Now…
You have gained victory over nature by giving birth to God, O pure Virgin; yet, like your Son and Creator, you have followed the laws of nature while being above it. Therefore, through your death, you have risen to eternal life with your Son.
(Katavasia) Your holy and noble death, O Virgin, is adorned with the splendid robe of divine glory. It brings all the faithful together in joy. Led by Miriam, with dances and timbrels they praise your only-begotten Son, for He has been greatly glorified.

Ode 3, Tone 1
(Irmos) You are the Creator, Wisdom, and Power of God, O Christ; and You uphold all things by your will. Make your Church firm and faithful, for You alone are holy and dwell among the saints.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O most pure Virgin, the holy apostles acknowledged you to be both a mortal and one who was beyond and above nature, the Mother of God. Therefore, they approached your body with fear and awe, and beheld you, the tabernacle that had contained God, radiant with glory.
Glory… Now…
The bold hands of the impudent one were quickly cut off by the righteousness of God in order to preserve the honour of the living Ark, the glory of the Divinity, from whom the Word had taken flesh.
(Katavasia) You are the Creator, Wisdom, and Power of God, O Christ; and You uphold all things by your will. Make your Church firm and faithful, for You alone are holy and dwell among the saints.

Ode 4, Tone 1
(Irmos) O Christ, the prophets foretold your incarnation from a virgin, and that You would be the glory and light of revelation to the Gentiles. The abyss cries out in joy to You: Glory to your power, for You alone love all people.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Come all you faithful, and behold the mystery; for the holy mountain of the Lord is raised above the heavens as we look on. The earthly heaven takes up her dwelling in a heavenly and immortal land.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O pure Virgin, your death was a passing over into a better and eternal life. It transported you from this earthly life to one that is divine and knows no end; now you behold your Son and Lord in joy.
Glory… Now…
The heavenly gates opened wide, and the heavenly choirs sang as Christ welcomed the virgin treasure of his own mother. The Cherubim served you in gladness, and the Seraphim praised you in joy.
(Katavaisa) O Christ, the prophets foretold your incarnation from a virgin, and that You would be the glory and light of revelation to the Gentiles. The abyss cries out in joy to You: Glory to your power, for You alone love all people.

Ode 5, Tone 1
(Irmos) I will speak of your divine and wondrous mysteries, O Christ. You have revealed yourself as the divine Son, radiant with eternal brightness, who took flesh from a virgin. You have risen as the sun, bestowing light to those who dwelt in the shadow of darkness.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The choir of apostles was transported upon a cloud from the ends of the earth to Sion so that they might minister to you, O Virgin. From you, O swift cloud, the Almighty God, the Sun of Righteousness, bestowed light upon those who were in the shadow of darkness.
Glory… Now…
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the apostles sang out a burial hymn to the Mother of God in a voice louder than trumpets: Rejoice, O pure source of the Incarnation of God. Through you, salvation comes to the whole world.
(Katavasia) I will speak of your divine and wondrous mysteries, O Christ. You have revealed yourself as the divine Son, radiant with eternal brightness, who took flesh from a virgin. You have risen as the sun, bestowing light to those who dwelt in the shadow of darkness.

Ode 6, Tone 1
(Irmos) Your three-day burial, O Lord, was prefigured by the sea monster, breathing forth fire; Jonah was the interpreter of this mystery; for coming forth from the monster safe and sound, he cried out: I will offer hymns of praise to You, O Lord.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The Divine King of all bestowed upon you gifts that are beyond nature. Just as He preserved your virginity in childbirth, He saved your body from suffering corruption in the tomb. He exalted you, his Mother, through your divine passage in glory.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin, your Son has granted that you dwell in the Holy of Holies as a bright lamp, burning with the immaterial fire, as a golden censer burning with divine coal. You are the vessel containing manna, the rod of Aaron, the tablet written by God, the holy Ark, and the table of the Bread of Life.
(Katavasia) Your three-day burial, O Lord, was prefigured by the sea monster, breathing forth fire; Jonah was the interpreter of this mystery; for coming forth from the monster safe and sound, he cried out: I will offer hymns of praise to You, O Lord.

Kontakion, Tone 2
The grave and death did not detain the Mother of God. * She prays perpetually and is our unfailing hope of intercession; * for He who dwelt in the womb of the ever-Virgin, * transferred to life the Mother of Life.

Ikos
O Saviour, encircle my heart so that I may praise this stronghold of the world, your most pure Mother; may my words be as strong as a fortress, and may my thoughts acquire power and strength. You always fulfill the petitions of those who come to You in faith. Therefore, grant me the words, the tongue, and the thoughts that are without shame; for every gift that enlightens us comes from You, the Enlightener of our souls, and the Lord who dwelt in a virginal womb.

Ode 7, Tone 1
(Irmos) Through the power of God’s love, the three youths overcame the anger and fire, extinguished the flames with dew, and scorned the anger of the tyrant. Inspired by God, they became as a three-stringed harp singing in the flaming furnace: Blessed are You, O most glorious God, for You are the God of our Fathers.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
Moses, overcome by wrath, destroyed the tablets made by God and inscribed by the Holy Spirit. But the God of Moses preserved the virginity of his own Mother in her childbirth, and now has carried her to the heavenly dwelling. Rejoicing with her, we sing out to Christ: Blessed are You, O most glorious God, for You are the God of our Fathers.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
O faithful, let us sing on this sacred and festive day of the Translation of the pure Virgin. With the cymbals of our pure lips, the melodious lyres of our hearts, the sweet-sounding trumpets of our uplifted minds, and the joyful clapping of our hands, let us say: Blessed are You, O most glorious God, for You are the God of our Fathers.
Glory… Now…
Inspired by God, the faithful have assembled to witness the passing over of God’s glorious Tabernacle from Sion to the heavenly dwelling place where the joyful singing of those celebrating the feast can be heard praising Christ and saying: Blessed are You, O most glorious God, for You are the God of our Fathers.
(Katavasia) Through the power of God’s love, the three youths overcame the anger and fire, extinguished the flames with dew, and scorned the anger of the tyrant. Inspired by God, they became as a three-stringed harp singing in the flaming furnace: Blessed are You, O most glorious God, for You are the God of our Fathers.

Ode 8, Tone 1
(Irmos) The mighty angel of God showed to the three holy youths a fire which was refreshing to them but destructive to the impious. He made the Theotokos a source of life gushing forth immortality to those who sing: Because we have been saved, we glorify the one and only Creator and praise Him above all forever.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
The choir of apostles attended the divine Ark of holiness in Sion while singing: O Tabernacle of the living God, where are you going? Continue to guard those who sing to you in faith: Because we have been saved, we glorify the one and only Creator and praise Him above all forever.
Glory… Now…
As the pure Virgin left the earth, she raised up her hands in which she had embraced the incarnate God, and she confidently spoke to her Son, saying: Remember forever those whom You have given me and who sing out to You: Because we have seen saved, we glorify the one and only Creator and praise Him above all forever.
(Katavasia) The mighty angel of God showed to the three holy youths a fire which was refreshing to them but destructive to the impious. He made the Theotokos a source of life gushing forth immortality to those who sing: Because we have been saved, we glorify the one and only Creator and praise Him above all forever.

Omit Magnificat

Ode 9
Seeing the Dormition of the Most Pure One, the angels were filled with awe at how the Virgin went from earth to heaven.
(Sung before each of the following)
In you, O pure Virgin, the laws of nature were overcome: in giving birth you remained a virgin, and in your death, heralded life. You remained a virgin after giving birth and remained alive after death, always saving your descendants, O Mother of God.
The heavenly choirs were astonished as they beheld their Master in Sion holding the soul of a woman in his hands. As a Son, it was fitting that He spoke to her who had given birth to Him without stain and said: Come and share the glory of your Son and your God.
Glory… Now…
The assembly of apostles gathered around your body which had contained God. Beholding it with awe, they cried out with a clear voice: Save your people as you pass over to the heavenly mansions of your Son.

Hymn of Light, Tone 3
O holy apostles of Christ, gathered here from the ends of the universe,* carry my body to the garden of Gethsemane and place it in the tomb.* And You, my Son and my God, receive my breath and my spirit. (3)

At the Praises

In Tone 4

At the divine command, the chosen apostles
hastened from the ends of the universe to bury you;
and, seeing you carried from earth to heaven,
they praised you with the words of Gabriel:
Rejoice, O bearer of the entire Divinity!
Rejoice, O Virgin, for you alone brought heaven and earth together
in giving birth to your Son.

You have given birth to Life,
and now by your holy Dormition
you have crossed the borders into eternal life.
The Angels, the Principalities, and the Virtues,
the prophets, the apostles, and all creation form a procession,
and your Son receives your pure soul into his immaculate hands,
O Virgin Mother and Bride of God.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

For your holy Dormition, O Mother of God and Mother of Life,
the clouds carried the apostles through the air.
Those who had been scattered throughout the world
were brought together in a single choir;
and, burying your most pure body with respect,
they sang the words of Gabriel:
Rejoice, O full of grace, O unwedded Virgin;
the Lord is with you!
Intercede with your Son and our God to save our souls.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: In giving birth you retained your virginity,* in falling asleep you did not abandon the world, O Mother of God.* You passed into life, for you are the Mother of Life,* and by your prayers* you deliver our souls from death.

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

Epistle
Philippians 2:5-11

Gospel
Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Communion Hymn
I will take the cup of salvation;* and I will call upon the name of the Lord.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 115:13)

August 14, 2015
Pre-Feast of the Dormition; Translation of the Venerable Relics of our Father Theodosius

VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

At the sound of the cymbals, let us sing resounding hymns,
anticipating the feast of her departure.
Let us lift our voices in a brilliant chorus before her sepulchre.
For the Mother of God and the golden Tabernacle
now prepares to pass from earth to heaven,
to the new life and the divine splendour.

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

O choir of the holy apostles,
you are gathered together from the ends of the earth.
The Living City of the One who reigns over all
departs in glory to the heavens.
She goes to rejoice with her Son, the King.
With the angelic hosts, sing a farewell hymn to her divine burial.

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

O choir of the holy priests,
O kings, princes, and ranks of virgins, now come together!
All you people, let us come before her holy tomb and sing a hymn,
for the Queen of all entrusts her soul into the hands of her Son
to be taken to the heavenly home.

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

O venerable Father, when you accepted the ascetic life for your salvation,
then you were enlightened invisibly from heaven
and were shown to be an exorciser of evil spirits.
By divine will you received gold,
which, in your generous mercy, you gave to those in need.
You filled their empty vessels with produce,
preparing for the Saviour, those who were in distress.
O preacher of the faith of Christ our God,
pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

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

The appearance of your holy relics came like a great light,
understood to be like the angelic splendour.
The great Stephen ran quickly with longing and joy,
seeing them coming in the distance.
He found your body whole and incorrupt
and glorified Christ our God.
O Father, pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

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

When those who wished to bear your body
came to the cave where you were buried,
they rejoiced on opening the tomb;
for they saw your most holy remains whole and untouched by corruption,
the hair framing your glorious face,
and your eyes and mouth joined in praises of Christ our God.
Pray to Him to save and enlighten our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

In faith we are all called together to celebrate this feast.
Let us hasten today to commemorate
the transferal of your holy relics, O venerable Father,
and let us say:
Rejoice, O consecrated dwelling of the divine Spirit and pillar of piety;
rejoice, boast of ascetics,
for you increased the talent given you by God;
rejoice, bright beacon to the world and our consolation.
As you now stand before the throne of Christ,
beg Him to deliver us from all trouble and distress
and to attain the future glory;
for we celebrate your memory in faith.

In Tone 4, Now…

O pure and most holy Virgin,
the choirs of angels in heaven and the assembly of people on earth
sing the praise of your glorious Dormition;
for you have become the Mother of the Creator of all, Christ our God.
We beg you to intercede constantly for us;
for, next to God, we have placed our hope in you,
O most glorious and ever-virgin Mother of God.
Readings
(1) Wisdom 5:15-6:3; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 4:7-15

Aposticha

In Tone 2

O marvellous wonder! O new sign of mystery!
How is it that the life-bearing Maiden
has been given over to death
and is now being concealed in a tomb?

Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest, You and the ark of your strength.

May all creatures sing out
because the Virgin, the daughter of Adam,
is going up into heaven.

The Lord swore an oath to David; He will not go back on his word.

Let us imagine the Virgin’s bier
surrounded by the apostolic choir,
and let us sing at her departure.

In Tone 8, Glory…

The multitude of monks praise you as their teacher,
O Theodosius our Father,
for by your paths you truly showed us the way we should go.
You are a blessed servant of Christ;
you unmasked the power of the enemy.
O dweller with angels and companion of the monks and the just,
pray with them that the Lord grant mercy to our souls.

In Tone 2, Now…

She is higher than the heavens,
more glorious than the Cherubim,
and more honourable than all creation.
Her outstanding purity became the dwelling place of the eternal divinity.
Today she places her all-pure soul into the hands of her Son.
With her, the universe is filled with joy,
and the grace of salvation is given to us.

Troparia

In Tone 8
Raised in virtue, O Father Theodosius,* from childhood you loved the monastic life* and attained your desire courageously.* You lived in a cave adorning your life with fasting and radiance* and abided in prayer like the bodiless powers.* You shone like a beacon in the land of Rus’.* Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory… Now…
O peoples, dance with joy and clap your hands with fervour.* Gather today in eagerness and jubilation, and sing with glee;* for the Mother of God is about to rise in glory,* going up from the earth into heaven.* It is to her we always sing hymns of praise,* for she is the Mother of God.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Raised in virtue, O Father Theodosius,* from childhood you loved the monastic life* and attained your desire courageously.* You lived in a cave adorning your life with fasting and radiance* and abided in prayer like the bodiless powers.* You shone like a beacon in the land of Rus’.* Entreat Christ God to save our souls.

Troparion, Tone 4: O peoples, dance with joy and clap your hands with fervour.* Gather today in eagerness and jubilation, and sing with glee;* for the Mother of God is about to rise in glory,* going up from the earth into heaven.* it is to her we always sing hymns of praise,* for she is the Mother of God.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Today the whole universe dances with joy* at your glorious memory, O Mother of God,* and it cries out to you:* Rejoice, O virgin, pride of Christians.

Now and forever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 3: Today we revere the star of Rus’, blessed Theodosius,* who shone from the east and same to the West;* for he enriched this whole land and all of us* with gentleness and miraculous wonders* by the practice and the grace of the monastic rule.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)

Epistle
Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)

Gospel
Matthew 11:27-29

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

August 9, 2015
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, Tone 2; Post-Feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Apostle Matthias

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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.

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.

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.

In Tone 2

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

Come, let us faithfully celebrate the brilliant, divine Transfiguration.
Having been renewed in spirit,
we shall climb to the summit of virtue;
and having learned with the apostles
the revelation of the strange mysteries,
we shall glorify the Lord and Saviour.

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

Rejoice and be happy, O faithful!
The Church now celebrates this precious and bright feast.
The Master of all is transfigured.
He is resplendent in the dawn of ineffable splendour,
shining more brightly than the sun.

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

This is the God and the Creator of all.
Through his great mercy He took on the appearance of a slave.
He now heals the wounds of ancient times.
By his gleaming countenance
He revealed the glow of divinity in his body.
The terrified apostles fell to the ground;
they bowed before the Master of all.

In Tone 1

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

O holy apostle Matthias,
you filled the choir from which Judas fell away.
You cast out the darkness of idol-worship
with the splendour of your wise words.
Now pray that Christ may grant peace and great mercy to our souls.

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

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

O blessed Matthias,
you flowed like a river filled with divine water
and watered the earth with your mystical streams,
thus causing it to bear much fruit.
Pray that Christ may grant peace and great mercy to our souls.

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

O God-inspired Matthias,
the universe shines in the brightness of your inspired teaching;
for your instructions have illumined and enlightened all.
They have guided all to an understanding of God;
they have transformed into dwellings of brightness
those who had lived in the darkness of vain illusions
and in the darkness of life without God.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Grace was poured out through your lips, O glorious apostle Matthias.
You were a luminary in the Church of Christ.
You taught the disciples to believe in the consubstantial Trinity,
in the one divinity.

In Tone 2, Now…

O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away
with the realization of grace.
For as the bush had burned without being consumed,
so you gave birth while a virgin
and you remained a virgin.
Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.
Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,
the Saviour of our souls.

Readings
(1) Acts 1:15-26; (2) 1 John 3: 21 through 4: 6; (3) 1 John 4: 11 -16

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 2, Glory…

Filled with divine ambition, O apostle Matthias,
you laboured zealously for God the almighty
who revealed you worthy of divine miracles.
Now you abide with the heavenly hosts and behold our God.
Pray to the Word, Christ our God,
to grant his great mercy to us.

Now…

You were transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor, O Christ our God,
and You showed your disciples the glory of your divinity.
Now also pour out the light of your knowledge upon us
and, in your goodness and your love for all of us,
guide us in the way of your divine commandments.

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!”

In Tone 3, Glory…
O holy apostle Matthias, intercede with the all-merciful God* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.

In Tone 7, Now…
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God** O Giver of Light, glory to You!

DIVINE LITURGY

Antiphon 1
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; Your lightning lit up the world.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
You have clothed Yourself in praise and splendour; You robe Yourself in light as with a cloak.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God, O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, transfigured on the mountain, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, transfigured on the mountain, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, transfigured on the mountain, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Entrance:
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, transfigured on the mountain, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

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!”

Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

Troparion, Tone 3: O holy apostle Matthias, intercede with the all-merciful God* that He may grant us forgiveness of our sins.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You rose from the tomb, O almighty Saviour;* and Hades, seeing this wonder, was stricken with fear; and the dead arose.* Creation saw and rejoices with You, and Adam exults.* And the world, my Saviour, sings Your praises for ever.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Your radiant message,* O wondrous apostle Matthias,* has shone like the sun throughout the world* enlightening the Church of the nations with grace.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* and Your disciples saw Your glory as much as they could;* that when they saw You crucified* they might know that You suffered willingly*, and might proclaim to the world* that You are truly the brightness of the Father.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord, You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord, my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24, 1)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 9:2-12;Acts 1:12-17,21-26

Gospel
Matthew 18:23-35; Luke 9:1-6

Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify the Lord transfigured on the mountain.
And the Irmos, Tone 4: Your forgiving birth was received as incorrupt; for it was God who came forth from your womb; He appeared on earth in the flesh, and made His dwelling among us. Thus, O Mother of God, all of us magnify you.

Communion Hymn
We will walk in the light of Your face, O Lord,* and rejoice in Your name forever.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 88:16, 17)

August 6, 2015
Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

O Lord, when You were transfigured before being crucified,
Mount Tabor was made to resemble heaven;
for a cloud was extended as a canopy,
and the Father bore witness to You.
Peter, James, and John were present there,
the same three apostles who were to be with You
at the time of the betrayal of Judas,
so that, having seen You in glory,
they would not be dismayed at the time of Your suffering.
Likewise, O Lord, make us worthy to recognize You as our God
in the same sufferings You endured in Your great mercy,
and to adore You.

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

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

O Lord, as a preparation to Your crucifixion,
You led some of Your disciples to a high mountain
and became transfigured before them,
enlightening them with the light of Your glory.
In this way, You showed the reality of the resurrection
You are to grant to us in Your love for mankind
and in Your almighty power as God.
Make us worthy of this resurrection, O God
for You are gracious and the Lover of mankind.

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

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

O Lord, when You were transfigured on a high mountain
in the presence of Your foremost disciples,
You radiated with glory,
showing how those who lead an outstanding life of virtue
will be made worthy of the glory of heaven.
Elias and Moses, conversing with the Lord,
showed Him to be the Lord of the living and the dead,
God who spoke through the Law and the Prophets,
the same to whom the Father’s voice bore witness
out of the bright cloud, saying:
“Hear Him, for it is He, who through His Cross despoiled Hades
and granted eternal life to the dead.”

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

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

Indeed, O Lord, the mountain that had been dark with smoke
today becomes honourable and holy because You stood on it.
The mystery hidden from the beginning of the world
becomes manifest in Your transfiguration before Peter, James and John.
They fell with their faces to the ground,
unable as they were to bear the light of Your countenance
and the splendour of Your clothing.
A further marvel was the vision of Moses and Elias,
conversing with You on Your future,
and the voice of the Father bearing witness and saying:
“This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!
He is the One who will convey great mercy upon the world.”

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

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O Christ our God, when You willed to prefigure Your resurrection,
You chose three disciples, Peter, James, and John;
and You went up with them to Mount Tabor.
At the moment of Your Transfiguration, O Saviour,
the mountain was flooded with light,
and Your disciples fell with their faces to the ground;
for they could not bear the sight of Your countenance
upon which no one may gaze, O Word.
Angels attended with trembling and awe;
the heavens were afraid;
and the earth shook to its very foundations
when they saw the Lord of glory come upon the earth.

Readings
(1) Exodus 24:12-18; (2) Exodus 33:11-23; 34:4-6, 8; (3) I Kings 19:3-9, 11-13, 15-16

Lytia

In Tone 2

O God of goodness, Your light has sanctified the whole universe,
and You were transfigured on the high mountain,
revealing Your power to Your disciples.
You have redeemed the world from sin.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
“O Lord of mercy, save our souls!”

You were transfigured in glory on Mount Tabor, O Christ our God,
and You showed Your disciples the glory of Your divinity.
Now also pour out the light of Your knowledge upon us
and, in Your goodness and Your love for all of us,
guide us in the way of Your divine commandments.

Christ, the light that shone before the sun,
dwelt on earth in a human form.
Wishing to fulfil the divine work of salvation before His Cross,
today He mystically reveals the image of the Trinity on Mount Tabor.
He took aside His three chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John;
and for a short time He concealed His incarnation.
He was transfigured before them,
manifesting the splendour of the original beauty.
By this He strengthened them in their faith;
yet He spared them from losing their life at the sight,
and so their eyes saw only as much as they could behold.
He also called upon Moses and Elias,
the most venerable of the prophets,
to witness to His divinity,
testifying that He is indeed the reflection of the Father,
the Lord of the living and the dead.
A cloud also enveloped them as a tent,
and the voice of the Father bore witness on high, saying:
“This is My beloved Son; hear Him!
I have begotten Him before the daystar in a virginal manner;
I have sent Him to save those baptized in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
those who confess in faith that the power of the divinity is one and indivisible.”
O Christ our God, You love all mankind;
make us shine in the brightness of Your inaccessible glory;
and in Your supreme goodness,
make us worthy to inherit Your never-ending Kingdom.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Come, let us ascend the mountain of the Lord
and go into the house of our God.
Let us contemplate the glory of His Transfiguration,
the glory of the only-begotten Son of God the Father.
From His light, let us receive light;
and raised up by the Holy Spirit,
let us sing the praises of the consubstantial Trinity forever.

Now…

Moses who saw God, and Elias who was taken up in the flaming chariot,
contemplated You in the cloud, O Christ our God;
for You are the author of the Law and the fulfilment of the Prophets.
They were witnesses of Your Transfiguration.
With them make us worthy of that same brightness,
that we may sing Your praises forever, O Lord.

Aposticha

In Tone 1

He who mysteriously spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai
and said: “I Am Who Am,”
today manifests Himself to His disciples on Mount Tabor
and reveals through His person
that human nature was re-established in its original splendour.
As witnesses to this grace and partakers of this joy,
He raised up Moses and Elias,
the forerunners of the glorious and saving Resurrection
made possible by the Cross of Christ.

The heavens are Yours, the world is Yours. You founded the earth and all it holds.

When David, the forefather of the Lord,
foresaw in spirit Your coming in the flesh,
he invited the whole creation to rejoice,
crying out prophetically:
O Saviour, Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Your name,
for indeed You ascended the mountain with Your disciples.
Through Your Transfiguration
You returned Adam’s nature to its original splendour,
restoring its very elements to the glory and brilliance of Your divinity.
Therefore, we cry out to You:
O Creator of all, glory to You!

Tabor and Hermon shout with joy at Your name.

O Christ without a beginning,
when on the Mount of the Transfiguration,
Your disciples saw the Light that was Yours
and Your unapproachable divinity,
they were rapt in amazement and completely changed.
They were enrobed in a radiant cloud,
and they heard the Father’s voice
confirming the mystery of Your incarnation;
for even after coming in the flesh,
You remained the only-begotten Son and the Saviour of all.

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

O Lord, today on Mount Tabor,
You have manifested the glory of Your divinity
to Your chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John;
they saw Your clothing radiant as light
and Your face more brilliant than the sun.
Unable to bear Your overwhelming radiance or look upon You,
they fell to the ground
and heard a voice bearing witness from heaven:
“This is My beloved Son who came into the world to save His people.”

Troparion

In Tone 7
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God** O Giver of Light, glory to You! (thrice)

FESTAL MATINS

The Lord is God – Tone 7

Troparion, Tone 7
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God** O Giver of Light, glory to You! (twice)

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 4
Showing the change that mortals will undergo, O Lord,* when they enter your glory at your second and awesome coming,* You were transfigured on Mount Tabor.* Elijah and Moses conversed with You;* and seeing your glory, the three disciples whom You had chosen* were struck with your splendour, O Lord.* As You covered them with your brightness,* also send your light upon our souls.

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 4
You were transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Jesus;* a bright cloud covered your apostles with your glory as with a tent, O Lord.* They cast their faces to the ground,* unable to gaze upon the inaccessible glory of your resplendent face,* O Christ our God and eternal Saviour.* As You covered them with your brightness,* also send your light upon our souls.

Glory… Now… (repeat)

Polyeleos

Exaltation
We extol You,* O Christ the Source of life,* and we venerate the holy Transfiguration* of your most pure flesh.
verses:
The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God and on his holy mountain.
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent and dwell on your holy mountain?
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place?
Glory… Now…
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory be to You, O God! (3)

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
When You went up to the mountain with your disciples, O Lord,* and You were resplendent with the glory of the Father,* Elijah and Moses stood there with You;* for the Law and the Prophets serve You as God.* The Father attested to your divine filiation and called You his beloved Son.* With You we praise Him in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Through the splendour hidden under the flesh of your nature,* You showed the disciples the splendour of your divine beauty on Mount Tabor.* Thus You enlightened the disciples who were with You, O Christ our Benefactor.* Realizing that your beauty was unbearable, they cried out: Holy are You!* For You are the One whom no one can approach;* yet the world has seen You in the flesh.* And You alone are the Lover of Mankind.

Gradual Hymns
Take 1st antiphon of Sunday, Tone 4

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Tabor and Hermon shout with joy at your name.
verse: The heavens are yours; the world is yours.

Gospel
Luke 9:28-36

After Psalm 50
Glory…

In Tone 2, Today the whole world is filled with joy,* for Christ is transfigured before his disciples on Mount Tabor.

Now…

Today the whole world is filled with joy,* for Christ is transfigured before his disciples on Mount Tabor.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offence.

In Tone 5: Having revealed a small ray of your divinity* to those who climbed the mountain with You, O Saviour,* You made them partakers of your boundless glory.* Therefore, they cried out in awe to You:* It is good for us to be here.* Together with them, we shall forever praise You, O Christ our Saviour,* who was transfigured for us.

Canon

Ode 1
Irmos When Israel walked upon the deep sea as upon dry land, they saw Pharaoh, their pursuer, drowning; and they exclaimed: Let us sing a hymn of victory to God.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
Christ spoke to his apostles the words of life concerning the kingdom of God by saying: When you see Me shining with the unapproachable light, you shall know that the Father is in Me, and you will joyfully cry out: Let us sing a hymn of victory to God.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
My friends and disciples, you shall overcome the power of the Gentiles, and their riches shall be your boast; for when I appear shining more brilliantly than the sun, you shall be filled with glory and joyfully cry out: Let us sing a hymn of victory to God.
Glory… Now…
Just as He promised, Christ appeared in glory today on Mount Tabor, clearly revealing to his disciples the image and reflection of his divinity. Filled with the divine brightness and splendour, the disciples cried out: Let us sing a hymn of victory to God.
Katavasia When Israel walked upon the deep sea as upon dry land, they saw Pharaoh, their pursuer, drowning; and they exclaimed: Let us sing a hymn of victory to God.

Ode 3
Irmos The weak have clothed themselves with strength, and the weapon of the mighty has become powerless; therefore, my heart is strengthened in the Lord.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
O Christ, You have clothed yourself completely in the nature of Adam, thereby refashioning what had been corrupted. Through your becoming human, You transfigured and glorified our nature.
Glory… Now…
In ancient times Christ led Israel through the desert by means of a pillar of fire and a cloud; today He brilliantly shines forth in glory upon Mount Tabor.
Katavasia The weak have clothed themselves with strength, and the weapon of the mighty has become powerless; therefore, my heart is strengthened in the Lord.

Small Ekteny

Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
You were transfigured on Mount Tabor, Christ God,* between Moses and Elijah the wise,* in the presence of James, Peter and John;* and Peter as he stood there, spoke to You:* it would be good to make three tabernacles here:* one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for You, Christ our Master.* You have shone on them with your light, now enlighten our souls!

Ode 4
Irmos O Christ our God, your wondrous plan of salvation has been revealed to me: how your birth from a Virgin would rescue from the power of evil those who call upon You by saying: Glory to your power, O Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
You appeared upon Mount Sinai, O Christ our God, in the midst of a cloud, the fire and darkness, the thunder and storm. It was there You revealed the written Law. Glory to your power, O Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
O Christ, as eternal God You make your dwelling in the heavens; as a sign of your glorious plan of salvation, You brilliantly shone forth in glory on Mount Tabor.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
In ancient times You appeared to your servants amid clouds of fire, darkness, and the whisper of the wind, and spoke with them, O Christ our Master. Glory to your power, O Lord!
Glory… Now…
Moses, who had previously recognized You in the fire of the burning bush, and Elijah, who was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot, appeared with You on Tabor and revealed your death upon the Cross.
Katavasia O Christ our God, your wondrous plan of salvation has been revealed to me: how your birth from a Virgin would rescue from the power of evil those who call upon You by saying: Glory to your power, O Lord!

Ode 5
Irmos In the beginning You, as their Creator, separated the light from the darkness so that your works may glorify You in light, O Christ. Now guide our steps in the light of your paths.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
When You deigned to transform our human nature, O Christ, the mountains prostrated before You; and the sun placed its brilliant rays of light, which fill the heavens, at your feet.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
Moses and Elijah praised the Saviour on Mount Tabor, and their words lingered in the ears of the disciples: Behold Christ whom we have proclaimed in former times as our God.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
The unchangeable nature of God, when united with human nature, shone forth with a brilliant light. It revealed to the apostles of Christ a reflection of the immaterial divinity.
Glory… Now…
When the disciples beheld You, O Christ the eternal Light, radiating the brilliance of the Father, they cried out to You: Guide our steps in the light of your paths.
Katavasia In the beginning You, as their Creator, separated the light from the darkness so that your works may glorify You in light, O Christ. Now guide our steps in the light of your paths.

Ode 6
Irmos When beset with trials, I called to the Lord, and the God of my salvation heard me.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
Christ our Saviour, shining forth on Mount Tabor as the Light surpassing even the brightness of the sun, has enlightened us.
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
You were transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Christ, thereby overcoming the darkness of error with the glory of your light.
Glory… Now…
The glorious apostles recognized You as God on Mount Tabor, O Christ; and, struck with fear and awe, they fell to their knees before You.
Katavasia When beset with trials, I called to the Lord, and the God of my salvation heard me.

Small Ekteny

Kontakion, Tone 7
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ our God,* and Your disciples saw Your glory as much as they could;* that when they saw You crucified* they might know that You suffered willingly,* and might proclaim to the world* that You are truly the brightness of the Father.

Ikos
Awake from the lethargy that has overcome you, do not lie there on the ground; and you thoughts which weigh heavily upon my soul, arise and ascend to the summit of godliness. Let us hasten to join Peter and the sons of Zebedee, that we may behold with them the glory of God on Mount Tabor and hear the voice from heaven which they themselves heard. It impelled them to proclaim to the world that they had witnessed the glory of the Father.

Ode 7
Irmos The three youths of Babylon, who were sons of Abraham, trampled upon the flames in the fiery furnace, singing this song of praise: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
When the apostles were clothed in the brilliance of your dazzling radiance on Mount Tabor, O Christ, they cried out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
O Christ, the apostles rejoiced in your glorious majesty, in the revelation of the divine voice, and in the cloud that rained dew, and they sang: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
When Peter beheld your unapproachable glory on Mount Tabor, O Christ, he cried out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!
Glory… Now…
The sons of Zebedee were with Christ, the Source of life, when He shone with divine brightness, and they sang out: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!
Katavasia The three youths of Babylon, who were sons of Abraham, trampled upon the flames in the fiery furnace, singing this song of praise: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers!

Ode 8
Irmos Zealously aflame with love of God, the three youths courageously conquered the threat of the wicked king in Babylon. They stood in the midst of the fire as though covered with dew – and sang: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
Your feet have ascended Mount Tabor, O Lord, even though You keep all things in existence by your will. At that time your face became brighter than the light of the sun; and present with You were the chosen of the Law and the Prophets, singing: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
When the glory of the Father who bestows majesty to all creation, the infinite Light that knows no evening, indescribably appeared in brilliant glory on Mount Tabor, He deified our human nature so that all may sing: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
Overcome with awe, Moses and Elijah clearly witnessed the appearance of Christ on Mount Tabor. Seeing his divine person brilliantly shining with the brightness of the Father, they sang: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Refrain: Glory to your holy Transfiguration, O Lord!
In times past, the face of Moses was radiant when he heard the divine voice in the darkness, but Christ clothes himself with light and glory as with a robe. For He who is the Creator of light by nature gives light to those who sing: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Glory… Now…
When the disciples beheld Christ on Mount Tabor surrounded by a cloud of light, they fell to the ground. Filled with spiritual brightness, they praised Him, together with the Father and the Spirit, by singing this hymn: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Katavasia Zealously aflame with love of God, the three youths courageously conquered the threat of the wicked king in Babylon. They stood in the midst of the fire as though covered with dew – and sang: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!

Magnificat is omitted

Ode 9
Megalynarion: O my soul, extol the Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor.
Irmos You gave birth without blemish; for it was God who came forth from your womb, appearing in the flesh upon the earth and dwelling among us. Therefore, O Mother of God, we all extol you.
Megalynarion: O my soul, extol the Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor.
Overcome with awe and enlightened with a heavenly brightness, the disciples looked at one another and fell to the ground in their fear and worshiped You, O Master of all.
Megalynarion: O my soul, extol the Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor.
Confirming this mystery, the voice of God was heard from the cloud; for the Father of lights spoke to the apostles and said: This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!
Megalynarion: O my soul, extol the Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor.
The disciples of the Word beheld an extraordinary mystery on Tabor; and when they heard the voice of the Father, they cried out: This is our Saviour, the Image of the Father.
Glory… Now…
We praise You, along with the Father and the Spirit, O faithful Image of the One-Who-Is, O Seal that cannot be taken away or changed, Son and Word, Wisdom and Arm of God, Right Hand and Power of the Most High.
Irmos You gave birth without blemish; for it was God who came forth from your womb, appearing in the flesh upon the earth and dwelling among us. Therefore, O Mother of God, we all extol you.

Hymn of Light, Tone 2
O Word and unchangeable Light,* O Light of the Unbegotten Father,* today we see in your light on Tabor* the light of the Father and the light of the Spirit* which gives light to the whole world.

At the Praises

In Tone 4

Before your noble suffering and cross, O Master,
You took your chosen apostles to Mount Tabor,
showing them your glory.
When they saw You transfigured and more brilliant than the sun,
they fell to the ground and cried out:
You are the eternal Light and the radiance of the Father;
and although unchanged, You appear in the flesh.

O God the Word, You are from all eternity,
and You are clothed with light as with a robe.
Transfigured before your disciples, You shone more brightly than the sun.
Moses and Elijah stood at your side
revealing You as Lord of the living and the dead.
They glorified your ineffable work of salvation,
your mercy, and great compassion,
by which You saved the world which was lost in sin.

You were born of a virginal cloud and became flesh
and were transfigured on Mount Tabor, O Lord.
A bright cloud surrounded You;
the voice of the Father clearly told the disciples that You are his beloved Son,
for You are the same essence as He and You share his throne.
At this sight, Peter spoke with wonder and said:
is good for us to be here.
He did not realize what he said, O most merciful Benefactor.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Christ took his disciples, Peter, James, and John,
and was transfigured on a high mountain in their presence.
His face became as bright as the sun,
and his garments were whiter than the snow.
Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him,
and a bright cloud came over them;
a voice was heard from the clouds, saying:
This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!

DIVINE LITURGY

Glory… Now… Only-begotten Son…

Antiphon 3
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Sion which cannot be moved.
Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!
The mountains surround it, and the Lord surrounds His people henceforth and forever.
Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!
Lord, who will stay in Your dwelling place, or abide on Your holy mountain?
Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!
Who will ascend the Lord’s mountain, or stand in His holy place?
Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

Entrance
Lord, send forth Your light and Your truth, these have guided and led me to Your holy mountain.

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 7: You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God,* showing Your glory to Your disciples as much as they could bear.* Make Your eternal light shine* also on us who are sinners,* through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Giver of Light, glory to You!

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

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
How great are Your works, O Lord, You have made all things in wisdom.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord, my God, You are exceedingly great. (Psalm 103:24,1)

Epistle
2 Peter 1:10-19

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Yours are the heavens, and Yours the earth.
verse: Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, they will walk in the light of Your countenance, O Lord. (Psalm 88:12,16)

Gospel
Matthew 17:1-9

Communion Hymn
We will walk in the light of Your face, O Lord,* and rejoice in Your name forever.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 88:16,17)

August 2, 2015
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 1; The Transfer of the Holy Relics of the First-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen [Dormition Fast]

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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.

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.

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.

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

Rejoice, O you heavens;
sound the trumpets, you foundations of the earth;
cry out with joy, O you mountains.
For behold, Emmanuel has nailed our sins to the Cross;
the Giver of Life has put Death to death;
and the Lover of Mankind
has raised up Adam.

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

Let us praise the Lord
Who for our sake was willingly crucified in the flesh.
He suffered, was buried, and rose from the dead.
Therefore, let us sing to Him:
O Christ, keep Your Church in the orthodox faith
and bring peace to our lives;
for You are gracious and love mankind.

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, as we stand unworthily before Your life-bearing grave,
we offer a hymn of praise to Your ineffable tenderness of heart.
For You, O Sinless One,
in Your loving-kindness have accepted the Cross and death
in order to grant
resurrection to the world.

In Tone 8

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

Stephen, you were the first among the martyrs to suffer;
you are the foundation of those who serve as deacons,
chosen by the apostles.
you enlighten with unfading light
those who celebrate your radiant feast with splendour,
giving grace and mercy to your servants.
by your prayers, martyr, guide them to everlasting life.

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

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

Stephen, martyr of Christ,
you received a crown of grace on your head,
in accordance with your name.
You adorned your neck with a chain of virtues as with gold.
You became an all-wise dwelling of the Wisdom you cherished,
keeping it as your beloved.
Therefore you have been honoured with grace and glory!

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

Most honoured Stephen,
first of the martyrs to suffer,
you are crowned with grace and glory, apostle.
When you were stoned, you offered a crown to our King and God,
spiritual and more valued than gold and precious stones.
Beautiful are your deeds and name!
Remember all of us!

In Tone 1, Glory… 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!

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.

Glory… Now…

O Mother of God, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,
since you remained a virgin both before and after giving birth.
For it was God Who was born of you to restore our human nature.
Therefore, do not overlook your servants who supplicate you in your temple.
Since you have held the merciful Lord in your arms,
be compassionate toward your servants,
and beseech Him to save our souls.

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 3, Glory…
Holy Apostle, Stephen, intercede with the merciful God* to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

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.

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.

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

Kontakion, Tone 1: You arose in glory from the tomb* and with Yourself You raise the world.* All humanity acclaims You as God.* and death has vanished.* Adam exults, O Master,* and Eve, redeemed from bondage now, cries out for joy:* “You are the One, O Christ, Who offer resurrection to all.”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 1: When Gabriel uttered to you, O Virgin, his ‘Rejoice!’* at that sound the Master of all became flesh in you, the Holy Ark.* As the just David said,* you have become wider than the heavens carrying your Creator.* Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who freed us through birth from you!

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)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:9-16

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)

Gospel
Matthew 17:14-23

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

August 1, 2015
The Procession with the Holy Relics of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord; the Seven Holy Martyred Maccabees, Their Mother Solome, and Their Teacher Eleazar [Dormition Fast]

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
of the day

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

Today the divine assembly of the faithful rejoices
for the Cross appears throughout the world!
It illumines the heavens with ineffable light,
brightens the air, adorning the face of the earth.
The church of Christ exults with divine singing,
venerating and serving the holy and wondrous Cross
which preserves her from above.
As we are strengthened by its power,
let us approach the Master saying:
grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!

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

Let all creation rejoice and dance!
For today the Cross shines from heaven to the ends of the earth!
It enlightens those who are born on earth, bringing them to unity.
Today mankind exults with the choirs of angels,
for the Cross has destroyed the dividing walls and gathered all into one.
Shining brighter than the sun, it enlightens all creation with grace,
showing salvation plainly to those who honour it in faith!

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

Shining brighter than the sun,
revealing itself to the world as the sceptre of Christ the King,
it shines to all the ends of the earth.
It has brought the human race out of hell.
And having despoiled hell and overthrown the enemy,
it vanquishes the arrogance of demons.
Now it declares the resurrection of the Saviour, and saves all who cry:
grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!

In Tone 1

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

Persecution did not shake the roof of the law,
firmly upheld by seven pillars.
For they bravely endured the senseless fury of their tormenter,
giving their bodies to the executioners:
these noble young men and brothers,
guardians of the oracles of Moses.

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

Raising their minds above visible things,
their bodily limbs cut down,
the brave and righteous youths,
with their divinely-wise mother,
were strengthened by the great hopes which have been fulfilled,
as they now rest in the bosom
of their forefather Abraham!

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

Most holy Eleazer, the young men
and their divinely wise mother,
arming themselves firmly with youthful boldness of soul,
gathering strength from zeal,
steadfastly attacked the adversary for the sake of piety,
to preserve the law of their fathers.

In Tone 8, Glory…

The holy Maccabees said to the tyrant:
Antiochus, there is for us one king alone:
God in whom we have our being and to whom we turn!
A world higher and more lasting than the one we see awaits us.
Our homeland is the sure and invincible Jerusalem!
She keeps this solemn feast with the angels;
by their prayers, have mercy on us and save us!

Now…

In ancient times, Moses prefigured the Cross,
casting down Amalek in defeat;
your Cross is the footstool David the psalmist
proclaimed worthy of veneration!
We sinners honour it today with unworthy lips, Christ our God.
We entreat you, for you were freely nailed upon it:
Lord, with the thief, make us worthy of Your kingdom!

Aposticha

In Tone 1

Come and celebrate the procession of the Cross,
you who love solemn assemblies!
Let us show forth our joy, crying out in the fullness of faith:
Cross of Christ, by the grace of the One who was lifted up on you,
sanctify us and save us from all harm by your might!

Extol the Lord our God; worship at His footstool for it is holy!

The precious Cross traverses the heavens,
assisting the veneration of all in fear and love!
As you were crucified upon it, number with the powers on high
those who praise it with love!

God is our King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth!

In venerating the precious Cross with faith,
we worship the Master whom it crucified!
With the veneration of our lips, we purify our souls,
showing forth our joy as we praise
the sacred radiance of the Cross!

In Tone 8, Glory…

The souls of the just are in the hands of God:
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the forefathers before the Law,
and their inheritance, the Maccabees whom now we praise.
For these sons of Abraham followed him in the faith with strength of soul,
wrestling even to death for the sake of godliness.
Raised in reverence and striving worthily,
they reproved the godless Antiochus.
For the sake of eternal life they scorned the things of this world,
setting aside for God their lives: soul and body!
Holy mother, who brought forth for us these seven sons!
With her, Maccabees, and the wise priest Eleazar,
as you stand before Christ our God for whom you laboured,
entering into the fruits of your reward, ever pray to him for mankind.
For according to His will, He answers those who pray to Him in faith!

Now…

The voice of your prophet Moses cried out, O God:
behold your life as it hangs before your eyes!
So today the Cross is lifted up and the world set free from error.
Today Christ’s resurrection is renewed!
The ends of the earth rejoice with David in songs and cymbals:
O God, You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth:
the crucifixion and resurrection by which we are saved!
All-powerful, good Lord, the Lover of mankind, glory to You!

Troparia

In Tone 1
We beseech you, O Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication the suffering which the saints endured for your sake, O Lord,** and heal all our infirmities.

Glory… Now…

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,** and protect Your community by Your Cross.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.

Troparion, Tone 1: We beseech You, Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication* the suffering which the saints endured for Your sake, Lord,* and heal all our infirmities.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: By Your own choice, O Christ our God,* You were lifted on the cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears Your name.* By Your power gladden the faithful people* and grant them victory against enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace,* the invincible sign of victory.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion: Tone 2: Most wise Maccabees,* seven pillars of the wisdom of God;* a divinely lit seven-branched candlestick!* Great martyrs before the martyrs of Christ:* Join them in asking the God of all to save those who honour you!

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm27:9, 1)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
To the saints who are in His land, the Lord has made wonderful all His desires in them. (Psalm 15:3)

Epistle
Romans 15:30-33

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 74:2, 12)
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions. (Psalm 33:18)

Gospel
Matthew 17:24-18:4

Communion Hymn
Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord,* shine upon us (Psalm 4:7).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)

Optional Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Hebrews 11:33-12:2; John 19:6-11,13-20,25-28,30-35; Matthew 10: 32-36