July 16, 2017
Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, Octoechos Tone 5

 GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

  1. 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. Continue reading July 16, 2017 Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, Octoechos Tone 5

July 15, 2017
Holy Grand Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, Named Basil at Holy Baptism

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Palm 140

In Tone 4

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

You were a second Constantine in word and deed,
for he was born in a Christian age,
yet lived for many years among the pagans,
while you were born of heathen,
but loved Christ who loved you.
You have gone to Him rejoicing!
Pray ceaselessly to Him for those who honour your memory. Continue reading July 15, 2017 Holy Grand Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, Named Basil at Holy Baptism

July 10, 2017
Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev (1073); Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia (321-3); Holy Brothers Francis, Mutius and Raphael and Those with Them, Martyred in Damascus (1860)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

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

When the love of God took possession of you, venerable Anthony,
you began to look upon the enticements of the world as vain.
For this reason you left your homeland and settled on the Holy Mountain.
There, among the father, your virtues have shone forth like a light.
Pray to Christ, Whom you have served already from your youth,
for the enlightenment and salvation of our souls. Continue reading July 10, 2017 Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev (1073); Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia (321-3); Holy Brothers Francis, Mutius and Raphael and Those with Them, Martyred in Damascus (1860)

July 9, 2017
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 4; Holy Priest-Martyr Pancratius, Bishop of Tauromenia (1st-2nd c.)

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

  1. 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. Continue reading July 9, 2017 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost; Octoechos Tone 4; Holy Priest-Martyr Pancratius, Bishop of Tauromenia (1st-2nd c.)

July 5, 2017
Our Venerable Father Athanasius of Athos

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

What praises are worthy of you, O Athanasius?
Your virtues are your true adornment,
and you were filled with grace by the light flowing from God.
You are a sword cutting down the rebellious passions,
a radiant pillar of divine contemplation,
a flame of abstinence enkindling on the lampstand of your soul
the divine precepts of the One who gives life to all mankind! Continue reading July 5, 2017 Our Venerable Father Athanasius of Athos

July 3, 2017
Placing of the Precious Robe of Our Most Holy Lady and the Mother of God in the Church at Blachernae in Constantinople; Verkhrats’ka Weeping Icon of the Mother of God (1688); The Holy Martyr Hyacinth

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

You are compassionate, Lover of mankind,
giving Your Mother to Your servants as an aid.
Through her You have worked Your ineffable and awesome dispensation,
restoring our first and divine life.
Therefore, as we honour her all-holy feast, we hymn Your might,
almighty Jesus, the Saviour of our souls! Continue reading July 3, 2017 Placing of the Precious Robe of Our Most Holy Lady and the Mother of God in the Church at Blachernae in Constantinople; Verkhrats’ka Weeping Icon of the Mother of God (1688); The Holy Martyr Hyacinth

July 2, 2017
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Sunday of All Saints of Rus’-Ukraine, Tone 3

GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

  1. 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. Continue reading July 2, 2017 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Sunday of All Saints of Rus’-Ukraine, Tone 3

June 29, 2017
Holy, Glorious, All-Praiseworthy and Chief Apostles, Peter and Paul

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

What crowns of praise shall we weave for Peter and Paul?
They were separated in the body but united in spirit,
and outstanding as the preachers of God.
The one indeed led the apostles,
while the other laboured more than all the rest.
Christ our God, showing great mercy,
fittingly crowns them with immortal glory. Continue reading June 29, 2017 Holy, Glorious, All-Praiseworthy and Chief Apostles, Peter and Paul

June 27, 2017
Bishop-Martyr Nykolai (Nicholas) Charnetsky and the Twenty-Seven Other New Blesseds of the Church of Rus’-Ukraine Beatified in 2001; Our Venerable Father Samson, Host of Strangers (527-65)

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

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

Placing all your hope upon God,
you accepted the covenant of the Heavenly Teacher,
Who said: “Let not your hearts be troubled!”
Thus, having lived in the faith joyfully,
and strengthening your souls through daily ministry,
you accepted the ascetic labours of martyrdom and confessing faith in Christ,
passing through much suffering and many torments.
And, as heavenly citizens from the lands of Ukraine,
you now shine forth from the many rooms of the Father’s house,
receiving the gift of efficacious boldness
to pray for our souls. Continue reading June 27, 2017 Bishop-Martyr Nykolai (Nicholas) Charnetsky and the Twenty-Seven Other New Blesseds of the Church of Rus’-Ukraine Beatified in 2001; Our Venerable Father Samson, Host of Strangers (527-65)

June 25, 2017
Third Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 2; The Holy Venerable-Martyr Febronia

GREAT VESPERS

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

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

  1. 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. Continue reading June 25, 2017 Third Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 2; The Holy Venerable-Martyr Febronia