Category: Texts

Matthew, son of Alphaeus, was a tax collector when the Lord saw him in Capernaum and said: Follow Me. And he arose, and followed Him (Matthew 9:9). After that, Matthew prepared a reception for the Lord in his home and thus provided the occasion for the Lord to express several great truths about His coming to earth. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Matthew preached the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes and Ethiopians. In Ethiopia he appointed his follower Plato as bishop, and withdrew to prayerful solitude on a mountain, where the Lord appeared to him. Matthew baptized the wife and the son of the prince of Ethiopia, at which the prince became greatly enraged and dispatched a guard to bring Matthew to him for trial. The soldiers returned to the prince saying that they had heard Matthew’s voice, but could not see him with their eyes. The prince then sent a second guard. When this guard approached the apostle, he shone with a heavenly light so powerful that the soldiers could not look at him; filled with fear, they threw down their weapons and returned. The prince then went himself. Matthew radiated such light that the prince was instantly blinded. However, the holy apostle had a compassionate heart; he prayed to God, and the prince was given back his sight. Unfortunately, he saw only with physical eyes and not spiritual eyes. He arrested Matthew and subjected him to cruel tortures. Twice, a large fire was lighted on his chest, but the power of God preserved him alive and unharmed. Then the apostle prayed to God and gave up his spirit. The prince commanded that the martyr’s body be placed in a lead coffin and thrown into the sea. The saint appeared to Bishop Plato and told him where the coffin bearing his body could be found. The bishop retrieved the coffin with Matthew’s body from the sea. Witnessing this new miracle, the prince was baptized and received the name Matthew. After that, the prince left all the vanity of the world and became a presbyter and served the Church in a God-pleasing way. When Plato died, the Apostle Matthew appeared to the presbyter Matthew and counseled him to accept the episcopacy. He accepted the bishopric and, for many years, was a good shepherd until the Lord called him to His Immortal Kingdom. St. Matthew the Apostle wrote his Gospel in the Aramaic language. It was soon after translated into Greek and the Greek text has come down to us, while the Aramaic text has been lost. It is said of this evangelist that he never ate meat, but only vegetables and fruit. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

 

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from death
and bestow life by Your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

9. Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,
Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

8. O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present in all creation?
You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

7. We exult in Your Cross, O Christ,
and we sing the glory of Your Resurrection.
For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

In Tone 4

6. The searcher of the hearts of men
inspired your mind, Apostle, with His divine knowledge:
He called you to Himself, ransoming you from the world’s deceit:
for He is the light whose rays shine to the ends of the earth.
He commanded you to proclaim His Word.
He made you worthy to write His Holy Gospel:
pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

5. The searcher of the hearts of men
inspired your mind, Apostle, with His divine knowledge:
He called you to Himself, ransoming you from the world’s deceit:
for He is the light whose rays shine to the ends of the earth.
He commanded you to proclaim His Word.
He made you worthy to write His Holy Gospel:
pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

4. Once a publican, now a disciple, you accepted the urgent call of the Eternal Word.
You abandoned the collection of the taxes,
eager for the promise of communion in His Kingdom;
you cast away the raging tumult of this life.
Now you behold His glory face to face:
pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

3. Once a publican, now a disciple, you accepted the urgent call of the Eternal Word.
You abandoned the collection of the taxes,
eager for the promise of communion in His Kingdom;
you cast away the raging tumult of this life.
Now you behold His glory face to face:
pray that He may enlighten and save our souls.

2. In days of old, as the earth lay waste in evil,
the prophet Daniel was endowed with clearness of sight.
He beheld a stone, cut without human hands from a mountain:
a stone which ground the riches of earthly kingdoms to dust.
In the fullness of time this all-wise Lord came down to earth:
passing by the customs-house, He chose you to be His herald,
He called you, who once served an earthly kingdom,
to serve Him, the Light of the world,
pray to Him, blessed Matthew, that He may enlighten and save our souls.

1. In days of old, as the earth lay waste in evil,
the prophet Daniel was endowed with clearness of sight.
He beheld a stone, cut without human hands from a mountain:
a stone which ground the riches of earthly kingdoms to dust.
In the fullness of time this all-wise Lord came down to earth:
passing by the customs-house, He chose you to be His herald,
He called you, who once served an earthly kingdom,
to serve Him, the Light of the world,
pray to Him, blessed Matthew, that He may enlighten and save our souls.

Glory…

You were called by Christ to heavenly discipleship;
you followed Him eagerly, chosen one of God.
He delivered you from subjection to earthly cares;
abandoning the vain collection of tribute,
you faithfully kept the accounts of the heavenly King.
Blessed evangelist, you are a light for those who dwell in darkness,
a guide to salvation for those who wander astray,
Matthew, the herald of glad tidings, pray for those who honour you!

In Tone 6, 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 Peter 1:1-2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; 1 Peter 4:1-11

 

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;
make us on earth also worthy
to extol You with a pure heart.

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

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,
and raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old
by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.
When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:
O, what sorrow afflicts us!
O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?
If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?
How were You removed?
What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?
O Lord, appear to us as You promised
and put an end to out tears.
As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:
Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,
granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

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

O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,
and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.
As God, You rose in glory on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

In Tone 6, Glory…

The full stature of goodness is made manifest in you, blessed Matthew:
in the fullness of time you abandoned the occupation of an evil age,
soaring as an eagle to the heights of righteousness,
you have filled the earth with the wisdom hidden from all eternity,
following fervently in the footsteps of Christ,
you have borne the Gospel of peace, life, and salvation to men,
filling with divine commandments those who hunger after righteousness,
blessed guide, well-pleasing to the Creator,
pray for us who bless your memory.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 6
Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

In Tone 3, Glory…
O Matthew, proclaimer of God’s word,* you earnestly turned from the tax collector’s booth* and followed the Master, who our His love* appeared to us on earth and summoned you.* You shone to the world as chosen apostle and loud herald of the Good News.* Because of this we feast your memory;* pray to God all-merciful* for the 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.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Troparion, Tone 3: O Matthew, proclaimer of God’s word,* you earnestly turned from the tax collector’s booth* and followed the Master, who our His love* appeared to us on earth and summoned you.* You shone to the world as chosen apostle and loud herald of the Good News.* Because of this we feast your memory;* pray to God all-merciful* for the forgiveness of sins.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Casting off the yoke of the custom house* you yoked yourself to justice;* revealed as an excellent merchant* you gained wisdom—wealth from on high.* From whence you preached the word of truth,* arousing sluggish souls by describing the hour of judgment.

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 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world. (Psalm 18:5)

Epistle
Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.
verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
Luke 8:26-39; Matthew 9:9-13

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* (Psalm 148:1)* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

Philip was born in Bethsaida beside the Sea of Galilee, as were Peter and Andrew. Instructed in Holy Scripture from his youth, Philip immediately responded to the call of the Lord Jesus and followed Him (John 1:43). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Philip zealously preached the Gospel throughout many regions in Asia and Greece. In Greece, the Jews wanted to kill him, but the Lord saved him by His mighty miracles. Thus, a Jewish high priest that rushed at Philip to beat him was suddenly blinded and turned completely black. Then there was a great earthquake, and the earth opened up and swallowed Philip’s wicked persecutor. Many other miracles were manifested, especially the healing of the sick, by which many pagans believed in Christ. In the Phrygian town of Hierapolis, St. Philip found himself in common evangelical work with his sister Mariamna, St. John the Theologian, and the Apostle Bartholomew. In this town there was a dangerous snake that the pagans diligently fed and worshiped as a god. God’s apostle killed the snake through prayer as though with a spear, but he also incurred the wrath of the unenlightened people. The wicked pagans seized Philip and crucified him upside-down on a tree, and then crucified Bartholomew as well. At that, the earth opened up and swallowed the judge and many other pagans with him. In great fear, the people rushed to rescue the crucified apostles, but only Bartholomew was still alive; Philip had already breathed his last. Bartholomew ordained Stachys as bishop for those whom he and Philip had baptized. Stachys had been blind for forty years, and Bartholomew and Philip had healed and baptized him. The relics of St. Philip were later translated to Rome. This wonderful apostle suffered in the year 86 in the time of Emperor Dometian. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS FOR POLYELEOS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

8. Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,
and vision as the end of divine action,
you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,
for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.
You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!
Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

7. Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,
and vision as the end of divine action,
you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,
for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.
You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!
Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

6. Having established action, blessed one, as an entrance into true vision,
and vision as the end of divine action,
you implored Christ to show you the ineffable glory of the Father,
for every reasonable creature desires witness of God.
You received the desired, glorious one, of which the Son is the image!
Pray to Him boldly for our souls!

5. As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.
Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.
You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,
for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,
the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

4. As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.
Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.
You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,
for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,
the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

3. As Moses of old, you were instructed by divine ascent.
Desiring to see God you spiritually saw His image.
You accepted the Son as knowledge and testimony of the Father,
for they are known as one Being: the Unity honourably exalted by all,
the kingdom, power, glory and worship!

2. God-seer Philip, you proclaimed with divine inspiration
and the teaching of the Holy Spirit,
sounding the Saviour’s heavenly Gospel in the world with a fiery tongue.
You burned all deceit to ashes like dried grass.
You proclaimed the Lord Christ in the universe,
Who is master over all.

1. God-seer Philip, you proclaimed with divine inspiration
and the teaching of the Holy Spirit,
sounding the Saviour’s heavenly Gospel in the world with a fiery tongue.
You burned all deceit to ashes like dried grass.
You proclaimed the Lord Christ in the universe,
Who is master over all.

Glory…

You burn with the brilliance of a great light, O Philip,
shining as a light of the universe.
Seeking the light of God you found illumination in the Son,
whose image is equal to the first image.
Implore Him, Apostle, to save those sealed by divine blood.

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 Peter 1:1-2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-3:9; 1 Peter 4:1-11

 

Aposticha

In Tone 6

Your heavenly proclamation, O blessed one,
has resounded throughout the world,
filling it with divine dogmas,
mystically blessing the Father, Son and Spirit!
apostle, we glorify the one essence.
Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the universe!

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

Thrice-blessed Philip,
as the light-bearer of Christ’s apostles,
you possess the bright light of the honourable church.
Our souls, all-praised one, are enlightened by your prayers,
and delivered from fierce calamities.

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork!

Worthy Philip,
having finished your task by suffering on the cross,
you were given the crown of victory.
Therefore you have entered the heavenly kingdom!
Apostle, as you stand before Christ, implore him to save us!

In Tone 2, Glory…

Apostle Philip, your mouth is a vessel of sweet spices,
pouring out a life-giving drink for the faithful.
Entering by action into vision, you welcomed and followed Christ.
You adorned the barren and childless church of the pagans,
by teaching and increasing her children.
You can do much since you are near to God:
pray that the church may be saved from need and distress!

Now…

O wondrous event exceeding every miracle that ever happened!
who has ever heard that a mother could conceive without a man,
and that she would hold in her arms the One who contains the whole universe
This was the will of the One who was born of you.
Woman most pure,
Never cease to intercede for those who honour you,
Together with the One you carried in your arms as a child.
You have the power of a Mother:
Therefore intercede with Him that
He may have mercy on us
And save our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 3

O holy apostle Philip,* pray to the merciful God* that he may grant to our souls* remission of our transgressions!

Glory… Now…

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

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 3: O Philip, proclaimer of God’s word,* the world is adorned and Ethiopia dances for joy* for it is arrayed in beauty as with a crown.* Enlightened by you it feasts your memory.* For you taught all to believe in Christ,* finishing the course of the Gospel as is right.* And so, Ethiopia boldly lifts up its hands to God.* Pray to Him to grant great mercy to us.

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

Kontakion, Tone 8: The God-inspired Philip,* Your friend, disciple and imitator of the Passion,* proclaimed You as God to the whole world,* O Christ, all merciful.* By his intercessions* and those of the Mother of God* guard Your Church and every city* from lawless enemies.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle
1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
John 1:43-51

Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)

John was born in Antioch in the year 354. His father, Secundus, was an imperial commander and his mother’s name was Anthusa. Studying Greek philosophy, John became disgusted with Hellenic paganism and adopted the Christian Faith as the one and all-embracing truth. Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch, baptized John, and his parents also subsequently received baptism. Following his parents’ repose, John was tonsured a monk and lived a strict life of asceticism. He then wrote a book, On the Priesthood, after which the Holy Apostles John and Peter appeared to him, and prophesied that he would have a life of great service, great grace and great suffering. When he was to be ordained a priest, an angel of God appeared simultaneously to John and to Patriarch Flavian (Meletius’s successor). While the patriarch was ordaining John, a shining white dove was seen hovering over John’s head. Glorified for his wisdom, asceticism and power of words, John was chosen as Patriarch of Constantinople at the behest of Emperor Arcadius. As patriarch, he governed the Church for six years with unequalled zeal and wisdom. He sent missionaries to the pagan Celts and Scythians and eradicated simony in the Church, deposing many bishops guilty of this vice. He extended the charitable works of the Church and wrote a special order of the Divine Liturgy. He shamed the heretics, denounced Empress Eudoxia, interpreted Holy Scripture with his golden mind and tongue, and bequeathed the Church many precious books of his homilies. The people glorified him, the envious loathed him, and the Empress, on two occasions, sent him into exile. John spent three years in exile, and reposed as an exile on the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, September 14, 407, in the town of Comana in Georgia. Before his repose, the Holy Apostles John and Peter appeared to him again, as did the Holy Martyr Basiliscus (May 22) in whose church he received Communion for the last time. His last words were, “Glory be to God for all things,” and with that, the soul of the golden-mouthed patriarch was taken into Paradise. Chrysostom’s head reposes in the Church of the Dormition in Moscow, and his body reposes in the Vatican in Rome. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS FOR POLYELEOS SAINT

 

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

6. Let us praise in song
the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,
the boundless depth of dogma,
the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,
the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold
that poured forth sweet rivers of learning
and nourished all creation.

5. Let us praise in song
the God-inspired instrument and golden-forged trumpet,
the boundless depth of dogma,
the affirmation of the Church and the heavenly mind,
the depth of wisdom and the chalice of purest gold
that poured forth sweet rivers of learning
and nourished all creation.

4. Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,
the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun
with his rays of teaching.
He is the preacher of penance
and the sponge of purest gold
which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.
He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

3. Let us worthily honour John of the golden words,
the never-setting star which enlightens everything under the sun
with his rays of teaching.
He is the preacher of penance
and the sponge of purest gold
which removes the cruel dampness of ignorance.
He gives life to hearts that are torn by sin.

2. Let Chrysostom be exalted,
for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,
the eagle of great and good speech
and the treasury of virtues.
He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,
the one who is like the martyrs
and who stands equal with the angels,
for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

1. Let Chrysostom be exalted,
for he is the earthly angel and the heavenly man,
the eagle of great and good speech
and the treasury of virtues.
He is the firm rock and the example of the faithful,
the one who is like the martyrs
and who stands equal with the angels,
for his teaching was the same as the apostles.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O thrice-venerable and most holy Father,
you are the good shepherd and the student of Christ the chief Shepherd
who gave his life for his flock.
Now, ever-praised John Chrysostom,
grant that through your prayers we may receive great mercy.

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.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings

Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; Wisdom 8:17-21; 9:1-4; Wisdom 4:1, 6-20

 

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Rejoice, O golden, glittering, and beautiful God-inspired instrument of the Church.
Rejoice, O orator who with loving-kindness
prescribed for us various examples of penance.
Rejoice, O golden-formed mind,
golden-tongued swallow, and dove who radiated virtues on green pastures.
Rejoice, most golden stream which pours firth the waters of divine speech,
the stream entrusted with the divine love for the human race.
Ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

My lips will speak words of wisdom. My heart is full of insight.

Rejoice, father of orphans and quick helper of the needy.
Rejoice, benefactor of the poor,
food of the hungry, and corrector of those who sin.
Rejoice, most honourable and most pleasing healer of souls.
Rejoice, sublime knowledge of theology
and narrator of spiritual writings.
Rejoice, keeper of the law and retainer of the most just order.
Rejoice, O sublime wisdom of visions and deeds.
Ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

The mouth of the just utters wisdom, and his lips speak what is right.

O Chrysostom, the Church sings to you:
Rejoice in Christ, your Bridegroom.
For by your virtues and your words,
you have enlightened the world more than the rays of the sun.
Rejoice, O wisest of men, greater than all other orators.
Rejoice, defender of the true faith.
You are the one who uncovered falseness, O teacher of penance.
Rejoice, quiet depth of knowledge,
who like the great Paul followed Christ completely.
Now ask Christ to send great mercy to our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O Chrysostom, you spoke most purely
and showed yourself to be the golden-sounding trumpet.
You purified the hearts of the faithful
by your true and dedicated teaching.
The message of your teaching
has gone forth prophetically, O venerable Father,
and you have enlightened the ends of the earth.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 8

Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,** intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

Glory… Now…

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

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: Grace shone forth from your mouth like a fiery beacon* and enlightened the universe,* bestowing on the world not the treasures of greed,* but rather showing us the heights of humility.* As you teach us by your words, O John Chrysostom, our father,* intercede with the Word, Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: From heaven you received divine grace;* your lips have taught us all to worship the Triune God,* O blessed John Chrysostom.* It is fitting that we praise you;* for you are a teacher clarifying things divine.

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

Epistle
Hebrews 7:26-8:2

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgement.
verse: The law of God is in his heart, and his steps will not falter. (Psalm 36:3-31)

Gospel
John 10:9-16

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

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.
Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,
and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies
with the Lord who rejoices for you.
From Him you have received victory for your labours,
an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.
O great martyr Josaphat,
now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

7. O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.
Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,
and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies
with the Lord who rejoices for you.
From Him you have received victory for your labours,
an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.
O great martyr Josaphat,
now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

6. O all-precious orator,
you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.
Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.
Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,
as a true and great martyr.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

5. O all-precious orator,
you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.
Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.
Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,
as a true and great martyr.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

4. You destroyed the vanity of the dissenters
by your sanctifying words.
You also strengthened the faith of the weakened hearts.
You have entered into the eternal life,
having suffered for the cause of unity.
You were a witness to the Lord, O great martyr Josaphat.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

3. Your sacred vestments were stained crimson by your blood, O holy one.
So you received from Christ a two-fold crown, O generous father.
You also rejoice with the angels in heaven
as you stand in the presence of the Blessed Trinity.
Now also pray that God may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

2. O great martyr Josaphat,
in chastity you yearned for an honourable life.
You worshiped Christ the Almighty,
and you led the people into union with Him
by your precious words and by his grace.
You washed yourself with the blood of martyrdom, O blessed one of God.
You have entered into eternity.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

1. In thought you ascended into the unsetting cloud of the ineffable Light.
You, a great martyr and shepherd,
knew the ineffable mysteries of Christ.
As a martyr you were enlightened,
and as a shepherd you were mystically taught.
Because of that, you also received two crowns from the glory on high.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O great martyr Josaphat,
you were a true priest until the time of your death.
As a priest you were a minister of the ineffable mysteries of Christ.
You poured out your blood as did Christ our God,
presenting yourself as an acceptable sacrifice.
Because of that, you are confident in his presence.
Pray for the faith of those who observe and venerate your all-holy memory,
so that your flock and the whole world
may be delivered from all dangers, invasions, enemies, and sieges.

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.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Proverbs 3:13-16; 8:35, 4-6, 8, 9; Wisdom 4:7, 16-20; 5:1-7; Wisdom 5:15-6:3

 

Litiya

In Tone 1

Come, let us all celebrate in spirit with heavenly priestly words
the memory of the great martyr Josaphat.
Because he cleared the thorns of division
and with abundant virtue through the fruit of the sanctuary,
he planted the teachings of salvation for our souls.

As a priest you acted according to the divine gospel.
You sealed the divine teachings with your blood
at the hands of the flock in disunity, O great martyr Josaphat.
You dried up the river of demons, and you went up into heaven
as a conqueror receiving the crown of victory.

O great martyr Josaphat,
the Eastern Church possessed you and your priestly works.
Now you protect her in an unshakeable manner from hostile wolves
as she preaches about your courage and extols you, O blessed one.

In Tone 5, Glory…

The Church celebrates your light-bearing feast,
and she rejoices, O great martyr Josaphat.
She faithfully venerates you.
As a shepherd do not cease to bless her.
Pray for the salvation of all.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,
you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the king.
Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.
For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,
wished to enlighten those whom He created with his own hands
according to his own image.
Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise In song,
we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls,
for as his mother you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Like a very bright sun
you shone upon the firmament of the Church.
By the splendour of your words, by your God-inspired teaching,
and by your life equal to that of an angel,
you enlightened the souls that were darkened by the wickedness of the enemy.
You led back onto the way of truth those who had strayed.
Because of that, we rejoice today
and observe your light-bearing and holy memory.

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

O great martyr Josaphat,
you were equal in honour to the apostles.
You received an understanding like theirs.
You did not fear the cruelty of malicious torturers,
but manfully and courageously you preached the unity of the faith.
You suffered many varied wounds and torments.
And now you have received a great reward for your long-suffering
from the Source and Judge of victory, Christ our God.
Implore Him for all who in faith venerate your holy memory.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord Is the death of his faithful.

O great martyr Josaphat,
offering up precious service and a spotless sacrifice to the Master, Christ our God,
you offered yourself as a perfect holocaust to Him.
You courageously suffered out of love for Him by spilling your blood.
As a true shepherd and follower of Christ,
you did not cease to cry out:
O Father, protect everyone in your name.
All-blessed Josaphat, now pray that the Churches and all people be reunited
and that we may be saved.

Glory…

Your good deeds are radiant like the sun upon heaven and earth,
O conciliator of Christ, all-blessed great martyr Josaphat.
You rightly preached to us the true and spotless faith of Christ.
For this, as a good shepherd, you also laid down your life,
following the wellspring of shepherds, Christ our God.
O all-blessed sanctifier, O God-bearer,
Implore that all may be saved
who lovingly celebrate the precious memory of your sufferings.

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 fulfil 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 4
You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.* Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,** to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls. (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 Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.*Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,* to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls.

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

Kontakion, Tone 4: Enlightened in childhood* by the flame from the crucified Christ,* you resembled the angels in your life as a monk,* and as bishop you lived in godliness.* You clearly preached unity and with your martyr’s blood, you calmed hearts inflamed by love for dispute.* From Christ you received the crown.* And so remember us as we cry to you:* Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of unity.

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 4:14-5:10

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
John 10:9-16

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

These two wonderful men were martyred for the name of Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. They were severely beaten, then burned on an iron grid, then tied to horses’ tails and dragged over rocks and thorns. They were thus torn to pieces and gave up their holy souls to God. Their relics are buried in Pentapolis.

Matrona was from Perga in Pamphylia. Matrona’s marriage to Dometian, a nobleman of Constantinople, soon became unbearable to her. Disguised in men’s clothing, she fled and adopted the name Babylas, then entered the Monastery of St. Bassian in Constantinople. Because her husband searched for her constantly, she was forced to move repeatedly. Altogether, she moved to Emesa, Sinai, Jerusalem and Beirut, and finally returned to Constantinople. Matrona was tonsured a nun at age twenty-five, and lived the ascetic life for seventy-five years. In all she lived a hundred years, and died peacefully in the year 492 as abbess of a monastery in Constantinople, taking up her abode in the joy of her Lord. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

 

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 5

10. 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.

9. 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!

8. 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.

7. 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 8

6. Martyred athlete, blessed Onisphorus, you confessed Christ God,
suffering greatly before the tribunal of evil!
You endured the wounds of blows and the immolation of your body!
Therefore you have been crowned with the wreath of victory
by the hand of the Creator of life, all-praised one!

5. Martyred athlete Porphyry, by the grace and power of the Spirit,
you dyed a purple robe for yourself in the bath of your blood.
Thus clothed, you were revealed in splendour,
reigning with our one God who reigns forever!
Beseech Him now, glorious one, that we all may be saved!

4. Martyrs, victorious indeed for the life of all:
you were slain in a sacred manner!
Rejoicing, you were stretched on the searing flame;
chained to horses and dragged;
thus you received a blessed end!
You are glorified, all blessed ones who ever pray for us!

In Tone 4

3. You nobly subjected the uprising of the flesh to the soul
through ascetic feats of fasting,
and you followed Christ, Matrona,
living devoutly with those who fast,
quenching the burning of pleasure with divine showers of tears,
kindling a fervent desire for the Creator!

2. You built hallowed tabernacles in many souls for the use of God!
You yourself were a temple of the Spirit, all-wise one,
guiding souls by your spiritual purity to the healing struggles of fasting!
You brought saved souls to the Master as a dowry, Matrona!
Together with them we honour you in faith!

1. The maidens loved the Bridegroom and Lord, submitting to His teaching!
In the Spirit, they disdained the weakness of the flesh,
struggling with diligence to restrain the passions!
They have been led with you, Matrona, ever rejoicing,
into the heavenly bridal chamber of God!

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.

Glory… Now…

O most pure Virgin,
you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the King.
Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.
For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,
wishes to enlighten those whom He created with His own hands
according to His own image.
Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise in song,
we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls;
for, as His Mother, you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

 

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 1
Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

In Tone 8, Glory…
In you, O venerable mother Matrona, the faithful image of God shone forth,* for you carried your cross and followed Christ.* You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away;* and how to value the soul, for it is immortal.** Therefore, your soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

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

 

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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
Galatians 6:11-18

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
Luke 16:19-31

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

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The angels of God were celebrated by men from earliest times but this celebration was often turned into the divinization of angels (II Kings 23:5). The heretics wove all sorts of fables concerning the angels. Some of them looked upon angels as gods; others, although they did not consider them gods, called them the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council of Laodicea (four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council) rejected the worship of angels as gods and established the proper veneration of angels in its Thirty-fifth Canon. In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. St. Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (who was taken up into the third heaven), described these nine orders of angels in his book, On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, many-eyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: “Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!” and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: “Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!” Concerning the Archangel Michael, see Joshua 5:13-15 and Jude 1:9. Among the angels there reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. We must always remember that whatever we do, in open or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thoughts of every man will be revealed before all. May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers. Amen. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS FOR ALL-NIGHT VIGIL

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself
to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:
Holy are You, O Father.
Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.
Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.
You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;
You are the one Divinity and Power.

7. O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself
to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:
Holy are You, O Father.
Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.
Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.
You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;
You are the one Divinity and Power.

6. O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,
and your godliness is awesome.
By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,
fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.
You also make your Church a fountain of healings.
You are venerated because of your holy calling.

5. O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,
and your godliness is awesome.
By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,
fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.
You also make your Church a fountain of healings.
You are venerated because of your holy calling.

4. You made the winds Your messenger
and flaming fire Your servant, just as it is written.
Among the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,
You have shown Michael the Archangel to be the leader.
He is obedient to Your commands, O Word.
With fear he sings the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.

3. By divine grace, O Gabriel,
the eternal intelligence created you to be a second light.
You were to illumine the whole world
that you might reveal a divine and truly great mystery
which had been hidden from eternity:
that God Who is bodiless was made flesh in a virgin womb
and became man to save mankind.

2. O Gabriel, you stand before the throne of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Glistening with celestial splendour.
We on earth joyfully dance and sing your praises.
O leader of the heavenly hosts,
O intercessor for our souls,
deliver us from the darkness of our passion
by illuminating us with your light.

1. O Gabriel, leader of the heavenly hosts
and intercessor for our souls,
crush the boldness of those who attack your flock.
Put an end to schisms within the Church.
Calm the storm of numberless temptations.
Deliver from trial and tribulation
those who lovingly venerate you
and hasten to protect us with the shadow of your wings.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Rejoice with us, all you leaders of the angels;
for the great Archangel, your captain and our guardian,
appears today in his holy church.
He wondrously watches over us and truly sanctifies this place.
Therefore, singing his praises daily,
let us cry out to him:
Keep us safe by the protection of your wings,
O great Archangel Michael.

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.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:7, 11-24; Isaiah 14:6-20

 

Litiya

In Tone 1

The leaders of the heavenly hosts
stand unceasingly before the throne of the Master.
They pray to the Lord to grant peace to the world
and great mercy to our souls.

As the leader of the Powers on high,
Michael has summoned us today for the feast.
He is always by our side
and preserves us today from every attack of the devil.
Come, therefore, O lovers of the feasts and lovers of Christ,
let us carry the flowers of virtue;
and with a pure mind and a clear conscience,
let us venerate the feast of the Archangel.
For he stands unceasingly before God, singing the thrice-holy hymn,
interceding for our souls to be saved.

In Tone 2

O bodiless Powers, you intercede for us.
O Leaders of the heavenly hosts,
by the brightness of your thrice-radiant glory
you give light to the whole world;
with unceasing voices you sing the thrice-holy hymn.
Pray, therefore, that our souls may be saved.

O intelligent, celestial, and bodiless Powers,
you surround the heavenly throne
and with flaming lips sing the thrice-holy hymn to God the ruler:
O holy God, O eternal Father;
O holy, mighty, and co-eternal Son;
O holy and immortal Spirit having the same nature,
and glorified together with the Father and the Son.

With immaterial lips and spiritual mouths,
the angelic ranks offer hymns to Your unapproachable divinity, O Lord.
Both the pure spirits and ministers of Your glory,
together with the incorporeal Michael and Gabriel, praise You, O Lord.
The leaders of the heavenly powers,
and the chiefs of the angels welcome us today.
They invite us to sing to Your unapproachable glory.
O Lover of Mankind,
they pray unceasingly for our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory…

With flaming lips, the Cherubim extol You, O Christ God;
and with immaterial mouths, the choirs of Archangels
loudly extols Your glory.
Michael, the captain of the heavenly powers,
unceasingly offers a song of victory to Your glory.
He has prepared us today for this feast,
so that even with lips of clay,
we may worthily sing aloud the thrice-holy hymn
as it is in the psalms.
All creation is filled with the praise of You, O Christ.
For this reason You give great mercy to the world.

Now…

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,
is being escorted into the Temple of the Lord,
and Zechariah receives her.
Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,
and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.
Let us also celebrate with them today
and cry out with Gabriel:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and He grants us great mercy.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 1

While solemnly celebrating on earth,
let us sing as the angels to God
Who is seated on the throne of glory:
Holy are You, O heavenly Father;
holy are You, O co-eternal Word;
holy are You, O all-holy Spirit.

You made the winds your messengers and flaming fire your ministers.

O eyewitness of ineffable things,
because of your great courage
you are the leader of the heavenly beings.
You gloriously stand before the awesome throne, O Michael.
By your prayers, save those who are suffering
because of trials and tribulations.

Praise the Lord, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts.

You are the chief of the bodiless angels
and a minister of the Divine Splendour.
You are an eyewitness and a mystic, O Michael.
Save us who devoutly honour you each year
and who faithfully extol the Trinity.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

O Archangel, since you are a soldier
and leader of the heavenly hosts
and the captain of the angels, O glorious one,
deliver from every care and worry,
from illnesses and bitter sins,
those who faithfully extol and beseech you.
You see the Lord Who is Spirit;
you are illumined by the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory.
For He, out of love for all people,
became incarnate of the Virgin for our sake.
By this, He wished to save mankind.

 

Troparia

In Tone 4
Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry: * “Deliver us from dangers,** O princes of the powers on high!” (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 Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us thorugh your prayers* under the shelter of the wings your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, you are very great (Psalm 103:4,1)

Epistle
Hebrews 2:2-10

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers.
verse: For He spoke, and they came into being; He commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2,5)

Gospel
Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)

They were all Christians from Persia and suffered during the reign of King Sapor in the year 355. The first three were servants at the court of this same king but secretly served Christ their Lord. When they were accused and brought to trial before the king, he asked them where they came from. To this they replied: “Our fatherland and our life is the Most-holy Trinity, one in Essence and undivided, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God.” The king subjected them to cruel tortures but they endured all heroically, with psalmody and prayer on their lips. During the time of their torture and imprisonment angels of God appeared to them many times, and one time the Lord Christ Himself appeared to them as a man “with a face radiant as the sun.” When one of the torturers, Aphthonius, beheld a miracle, when boiling lead did no harm to the martyrs, he believed in Christ and cried out: “Great is the Christian God!” For this, he was immediately beheaded, and many others saw and believed. Then the king ordered that Acyndinus, Pegasius and Anempodistus be sewn into animal skins and cast into the sea. But St. Aphthonius appeared from the other world with three shining angels, and led the holy martyrs to dry land and set them free. Elpidephorus was one of the king’s nobles. When he revealed that he was a Christian and denounced the king for his slaughter of innocent Christians, the king condemned him to death and Elpidephorus was beheaded along with seven thousand other Christians. Then those first three martyrs [Acyndinus, Pegasius and Anempodistus] were finally thrown into a burning furnace along with twenty-eight soldiers and the king’s mother, since they also believed in Christ-and thus, in the flames, they gave up their righteous souls into the hands of the Lord. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. O Lord, Your birth from the Father is timeless and eternal;
Your incarnation from the Virgin is beyond the understanding of all,
and beyond the expression of our words.
Your descent into Hades and victory over Death
caused Satan and his angels to tremble with fear.
Your resurrection on the third day
brought to mankind incorruption and great mercy.

In Tone 4

3. Let us hymn the company of the five martyrs:
The wise Acindynus
with Pegasus and Elpidephorus,
Aphtonius and Anempodistus!
They are valiant athletes and fervent protectors.
They pour forth abundant grace and unfailing hope,
granting them freely to the faithful!

2. Neither hunger, nor tribulation,
neither life nor death,
nor boiling cauldrons nor the depths of the earth,
nor even the mouths of wild beasts
could separate your brave deeds of patient endurance from the love of Christ!
You continually directed your gaze towards Him:
Desiring Him alone, you vanquished the enemy!

1. As you delight in sweetness and are filled with light,
inheriting eternal life, divinely wise ones,
deliver those who pray to you and honour your place of martyrdom
from misfortunes, bondage and imprisonment!
For you have boldness before God and great mercy
as true imitators and followers of Christ!

In Tone 6, Glory…

Today the martyrs’ choir of fivefold splendour
illumines the faithful like a constellation of stars!
It summons all to mystical joy!
Today the servants of the spiritual Sun
lead all to righteousness:
They destroyed the traditions of the Persians
who adored the material sun and worshipped fire!
They filled to overflowing the cup of their suffering;
they have been crowned with their blood shed for the sake of Christ!
They call us, lovers of piety, saying:
Come, feast as you behold our sufferings:
Look upon our crowns and honours!
For Christ has truly said:
He who endures to the end is saved!
Come, share our crowns and take us as intercessors before the Lord!

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 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 fulfil 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 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 2, Glory…
Victorious martyrs of the Lord,* blessed is the earth that received your blood!* Holy are the heavenly places that opened to your souls!* You vanquished the enemy in battle, proclaiming Christ with courage!* Intercede with Him for He is good,** that He may save our souls!

Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

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.

Theotokion, Tone 4: By your birth, O immaculate one,* Joachim and Anna were freed from the reproach of childlessness,* and Adam and Eve* from the corruption of death.* And your people, redeemed from the guilt of their sins,* celebrate as they cry out to you:* “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God* and nourisher of our life.”

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
Galatians 2:16-20

Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Poise yourself and advance in triumph and reign in the cause of truth, and meekness, and justice.
verse: You have loved justice and hated iniquity. (Psalm 44:5,8)

Gospel
Luke 8:5-15

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

glorious and wonderworking saint was born in Thessalonica of noble and devout parents. Implored of God by childless parents, Demetrius was their only son, and so was raised and educated with great care. Demetrius’s father was a commander in Thessalonica. When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed Demetrius as commander in his place. As he appointed him, Maximian, an opponent of Christ, particularly recommended that he persecute and exterminate the Christians in Thessalonica. Demetrius not only disobeyed the emperor but openly confessed and preached the Lord Jesus Christ in the city of Thessalonica. When the emperor heard of this he became furious with Demetrius. Then, when he was returning from battle against the Sarmatians, Maximian stopped at Thessalonica to investigate the matter. The emperor summoned Demetrius and questioned him about his faith. Demetrius openly acknowledged his Christian Faith to the emperor and also denounced the emperor’s idolatry. Maximian cast Demetrius into prison. Knowing what was awaiting him, Demetrius gave all his goods to his faithful servant Lupus to distribute to the poor, and joyfully awaited his imminent suffering for Christ the Lord. An angel of God appeared to him in prison, saying: “Peace be to you, O sufferer of Christ; be brave and be strong!” After several days, the emperor sent soldiers to the prison to kill Demetrius. The soldiers found the saint of God at prayer and ran him through with lances. Christians secretly took his body and honorably buried it. Healing myrrh flowed from the body of the martyr of Christ, curing many of the sick. Soon, a small church was built over his relics.

An Illyrian nobleman, Leontius, was afflicted with an incurable illness. He hastened, with prayer, to the relics of St. Demetrius and was completely healed. In thanksgiving, Leontius erected a much larger church on the site of the old church. The saint appeared to him on two occasions. When Emperor Justinian wanted to translate the relics of the saint from Thessalonica to Constantinople, flaming sparks sprang from the tomb and a voice was heard: “Stop, and do not touch!” And thus, the relics of St. Demetrius have remained for all time in Thessalonica. As the protector of Thessalonica, St. Demetrius has appeared many times, and on many occasions has saved Thessalonica from great calamity. His miracles are without number. The Russians considered St. Demetrius to be the protector of Siberia, which was conquered and annexed to Russia on October 26, 1581. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

 

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 3

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

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

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

7. 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

6. O glorious martyr Demetrius,
like a bright star you glisten forever for your fatherland
because you always protect it from destruction at the hands of enemies,
and you deliver it from every strife and menace.
Therefore, O blessed one, your people annually observe your memory
and celebrate with joy,
and with faith and love they extol the Lord who glorified you.

5. O Demetrius, martyr and sufferer of the Passion of Christ,
your miracles shine upon the world like the sun.
Therefore, all of us are filled with joy as we remember them,
and in faith we fittingly celebrate.
Since you have favour with the Lord,
pray that He may save your servants from corruption.

4. Your side was pierced by a spear for the sake of the Saviour
whose side had been pierced on the cross.
By your wounds you lovingly resembled Him, O Martyr.
You showed to all that you were an unconquerable witness.
Thereby, your torturer was also wounded and made helpless
when he was the instrument of the test of your faith,
O Demetrius, great sufferer for Christ.

In Tone 8

3. O, what a great marvel!
There is joy in heaven and on earth,
for this day glistens in the remembrance of the martyr Demetrius.
He is crowned by the praises of angels and by the hymns of all.
O, how he suffered and how well he struggled!
Through him the Evil One fell and was conquered for Christ.

2. O, what a great marvel!
It is the most radiant of wonders.
It is more brilliant than the sun.
Demetrius shines upon the ends of the earth at all times.
He is filled with the radiance of the Light that never grows dim
and beautified by the Light which never sets.
By his rays, the clouds of foreign foes have been dispersed,
illnesses have been cast out, and demons conquered.

1. O, what a great marvel!
Having been slain for the sake of Christ, O thrice-blessed Demetrius,
you have always manifested yourself to be a two-edged sword,
humbling the exaltations of the enemies
and bringing to naught the intrigues of the demons.
Let us cry out to him:
O Demetrius, protect us at all times,
for in faith and love we venerate you.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Today the universal feast of the martyr summons us.
Come, therefore, O lovers of feasts,
let us celebrate his memory in splendour and say:
Rejoice, for you overcame the snares of the enemy
by the might given to you by the one God.
Rejoice, for you suffered wounds by the thrusts of a sword,
and thus spiritually depicted for us the blessed passion of Christ.
O Demetrius, O inspiration of martyrs,
implore Him that we be delivered from visible and invisible enemies,
and that our souls may be saved.

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.

 

Readings
Isaiah 63:15-19; 64:1-9; Jeremiah 2:2-12; Wisdom 4:7-15

 

At the Litija

In Tone 1

Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessalonica!
Adorn yourself with faith and leap and dance with joy!
Like a treasure, hold onto Demetrius,
the glorious Martyr and witness to the truth.
Be full of delight at the sight of his miraculous healings;
look as he repels the foreign invaders;
and thankfully cry out to the Savoir:
O Lord, glory to You!

O city of Thessalonica, together with everyone,
let us brighten this day with beautiful hymns,
and let us glorify the martyr’s deeds
because the great martyr Demetrius is deserving of praise.
He courageously repelled the onsets of demons.
He fervently came into the arena and gloriously won a victory.
He is praying to the Savoir that our souls may be saved.

In Tone 2

O wise martyr Demetrius,
Christ our God has placed your spotless spirit in the abode on high,
for you were a defender of the Trinity.
And unbreakable as a diamond,
you courageously suffered martyrdom in the arena.
Your holy side was pierced, O all-precious one,
just like Him who was pierced on the cross
for the salvation of the whole world.
You received the power of healing,
and you freely grant healings to all.
We, therefore, fittingly celebrate your dormition today,
and we glorify you as you glorified the Lord.

In Tone 5, Glory…

Let us hasten with faith and love;
let us shout with festive joy;
let all of us clap our hands on this feast of our leader.
May the heavenly hosts be happy
because he was pierced in behalf of Christ the Lord
who was pierced by a spear,
and because he destroyed the boldness of the arrogant Leo.
May the heavens and the sea be astounded
by the glorious witness given by the great luminary.
May they praise him who restrains the young and leads those in danger.
He enriches the lowly and brings good fortune;
he wins in battle and sails with those at sea.
He is a staff in old age and our own steadfast defender.
So let us pray to him and say:
O glorious Demetrius, be our leader, rescue us from every anguish,
and save your servants by your prayers.

Now…

Let us sound the trumpets of praise,
for the Queen of all, the Virgin Mother,
looks down from on high to crown with blessings those who honour her.
Let kings and leaders come together
to praise the Queen who gave birth to the King.
Because of his love for all,
He released those who had been condemned to death.
O shepherds and teachers,
come together and praise the most pure Mother of the Good Shepherd.
She is the lampstand that gleams like gold,
the light-bearing cloud more spacious than the heavens,
the living tabernacle and golden urn containing the manna,
the sealed door of the Word and refuge of all Christians.
Let us praise her with God-inspired songs, saying:
O palace of the Word,
make us lowly ones worthy of the kingdom of heaven,
for nothing is impossible through your intercession.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Tone 8, Glory…

Your sublime and spotless soul,
O ever-commemorated Demetrius,
has the heavenly Jerusalem as an abode.
Its walls were painted by the most pure hands of the invisible God.
This beautiful church on earth
also contains your very precious body which had suffered so much,
It is a treasure of miracles that cannot be stolen away,
and it is a medicine for illnesses
whenever we hasten to draw upon its healing.
O all-praiseworthy one,
protect from threatening destruction the city which extols you,
for you have found favour before Christ who glorified you.

Now…

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

 

Troparia

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* The Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.* For you have borne Christ,* the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls. (2)

In Tone 3
In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls. (1)

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

Troparion, Tone 3: In you, O martyr Demetrius,* the world has discovered a champion in its travails,* for you have routed the nations* and so, as you smashed the pride of Lyaeus*, encouraging Nestor to struggle,* pray to Christ our God to grant great mercy to our souls.

Glory 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.

Kontakion, Tone 2: With the streams of your blood, O Demetrius,* God, who gave you invincible strength,* has dyed the Church in royal crimson* and preserved your city invulnerable* for you are its fortification.

Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Sing to our God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
verse: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 46:7,2)

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The just man shall be glad in the Lord,* and shall hope in Him. (Psalm 63:11)

Epistle
Galatians 1:11-19; 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Alleluia, Tone 3
verse: In You, O Lord, have I hoped that I may not be put to shame for ever.
verse: Be a protector unto me, O God, and a house of refuge to save me. (Psalm 30:2,3)
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 in the courts of our God. (Psalm 91:13-14)

Gospel
Luke 7:11-16; John 15:17-16:2

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest. (Psalm 148:1)* The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6-7)

Joel is second in the line of the minor prophets. St. Joel was the son of Phanuel, from the tribe of Reuben. He lived eight hundred years before Christ. Joel prophesied the misfortunes of the people of Israel, and the Babylonian Captivity because of the sins they had committed in the sight of God. He called the people to fasting and the priests to tearful penitential prayer, that God would have mercy on them: Sanctify ye a fast … and cry unto the Lord (Joel 1:14); Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17). Joel also foretold the Descent of the Spirit of God upon the apostles and the pouring out of the grace of the Spirit of God upon all Christians: Then afterward I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). He prophesied and described the Dread Judgment of God, and also prophesied the glory of God’s Holy Church. (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

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

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Let us all come and prostrate ourselves in the house of the Lord,
singing this hymn of salvation:
O Christ, You were crucified on the tree and rose from the dead;
and You now abide in the bosom of the Father.
Please cleanse us of our sins.

In Tone 8

3. The Spirit of God has been poured out on us, faithful,
as the honoured Joel prophesied, moved by the same Spirit!
He opens the revelation of divine mysteries
in prophetic words.
We who have received his works are enlightened with divine radiance
and with the grace of God!

2. Master, filled with divine eloquence,
the wondrous Joel comes forth from your house
like a stream of water giving life to the souls of men!
He lets fall on us the sweetness that delights our thoughts
for he has been exalted by the Spirit;
raised by virtue to divine heights!

1. With your boldness as a prophet, Joel,
and your spiritual closeness to God,
you behold heavenly visions.
Move Him, glorious one, to compassion for us
who celebrate your memory with faith,
asking remission of sins,
a share in divine joy and great mercy!

In Tone 2, Glory… Now…

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

 

Aposticha

In Tone 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory… Now…

We now behold a new wonder,
greater than the wonders of old.
For who has ever known a mother to bear a child without the help of man?
Who has known a mother to hold in her arms the Source of all Creation?
It was God’s own will to be born in this manner;
and you, O most pure Virgin, carried Him as an infant in your arms.
Because of this, you can approach God with the boldness of a mother.
Therefore, we venerate you, and ask you to always beseech Him
to have mercy on us and save our souls.

 

Troparia

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

Glory…
As we celebrate the memory of Your prophet, Joel,* O Lord, we beseech You through him: “Save our souls!”

Now…
O Mother of God, the mysteries which surround you are exceedingly glorious,* and beyond the power of understanding.* For you retained the seal of purity,* and your virginity remained inviolate;* yet you are acknowledged, without doubt,* to be the Mother who gave birth to the true God.* We beg you, therefore, to entreat Him to save our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

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

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

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.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 2: The tomb and death could not hold the Mother of God,* unceasing in her intercession and an 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 2
The Lord is my strength and my song of praise, and He has become my salvation.
verse: The Lord has indeed chastised me, but He has not delivered me to death. (Psalm 117:14,18)

Epistle
2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9

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

Gospel
Luke 6:31-36

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

Luke was born in Antioch. In his youth, he excelled in his studies of Greek philosophy, medicine and art. During the ministry of the Lord Jesus on earth, Luke came to Jerusalem, where he saw the Savior face to face, heard His saving teaching and was witness to His miraculous works. Coming to belief in the Lord, St. Luke was numbered among the Seventy Apostles, and was sent out to preach. With Cleopas, he saw the resurrected Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Luke returned to Antioch and there became a fellow worker of the Apostle Paul and traveled to Rome with him, converting Jews and pagans to the Christian Faith. Luke, the beloved physician, … greets you, writes the Apostle Paul to the Colossians. (Colossians 4:14). At the request of Christians, he wrote his Gospel in about the year 60. Following the martyrdom of the great Apostle Paul, St. Luke preached the Gospel throughout Italy, Dalmatia, Macedonia and other regions. He painted icons of the Most-holy Theotokos-not just one, but three-and icons of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Hence, St. Luke is considered to be the founder of Christian iconography. In old age, he visited Libya and Upper Egypt. From Egypt he returned to Greece, where he continued to preach and convert many with great zeal despite his old age. In addition to his Gospel, St. Luke wrote the Acts and dedicated both works to Theophilus, the governor of Achaia. Luke was eighty-four years old when the wicked idolaters tortured him for the sake of Christ and hanged him from an olive tree in the town of Thebes, in Boethia. The miracle-working relics of this wonderful saint were transported to Constantinople in the reign of Emperor Constantius, the son of Constantine.  (Prologue of Ohrid)

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GREAT VESPERS

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

8. What shall we call you, Apostle?
Heaven, for you have made an account of the glory of God for us.
Lightning, for you illumine the world with radiance.
A cloud, for you rain down in a torrent the knowledge of God.
A chalice pouring the rich wine of wisdom to gladden our hearts:
pray to the Lord that he may save our souls.

7. What shall we call you, Apostle?
Heaven, for you have made an account of the glory of God for us.
Lightning, for you illumine the world with radiance.
A cloud, for you rain down in a torrent the knowledge of God.
A chalice pouring the rich wine of wisdom to gladden our hearts:
pray to the Lord that he may save our souls.

6. How shall we address you, chosen of God?
A river, flowing forth to us from paradise?
The ark of the new covenant ratified by Christ our God:
the illuminator, made radiant by the never-setting light:
the lampstand enlightening the Church:
your words are the bread of life, the divine table, the cup of joy:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

5. How shall we address you, chosen of God?
A river, flowing forth to us from paradise?
The ark of the new covenant ratified by Christ our God:
the illuminator, made radiant by the never-setting light:
the lampstand enlightening the Church:
your words are the bread of life, the divine table, the cup of joy:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

4. What shall we call you, God-inspired speaker?
A faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ,
a servant of the divine tent not made with human hands,
perfected in the fullness of time by the builder of wisdom,
He entrusted to you the new law of grace,
inscribed in Sion on tablets hewn from the rock of love:
faithful witness, pray to Him that our souls may be saved.

3. What shall we call you, God-inspired speaker?
A faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ,
a servant of the divine tent not made with human hands,
perfected in the fullness of time by the builder of wisdom,
He entrusted to you the new law of grace,
inscribed in Sion on tablets hewn from the rock of love:
faithful witness, pray to Him that our souls may be saved.

2. What shall we call you, glorious one?
The treasury of heavenly gifts;
the steadfast physician of our souls and bodies;
the fellow-labourer of Paul and his companion in travel and hardship;
the author of the acts of the apostles.
Luke, your exceeding goodness has won for you measureless praise:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

1. What shall we call you, glorious one?
The treasury of heavenly gifts;
the steadfast physician of our souls and bodies;
the fellow-laborer of Paul and his companion in travel and hardship;
the author of the acts of the apostles.
Luke, your exceeding goodness has won for you measureless praise:
pray to the Lord that He may save our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Apostle of Christ, compiler of divine dogmas and foundation of the Church.
You were the attendant and imitator of Paul, the vessel of election.
By wisdom you have rescued us from the turmoil of ignorance,
for our hearts were in the depths of destruction.
Wherefore we beseech you, most admirable Luke, the pride of Antioch,
pray to our Saviour and God,
for those who celebrate your most honourable memory in faith.

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 John 1-7; James 1:1-12; Jude 1-7, 17-25

 

Aposticha

In Tone 5

Grace is poured out upon your lips like a tongue of fire;
you received the Word of light, Apostle Luke,
you proclaimed salvation for those who longed to be made children of light;
writing and teaching the holy gospel in the fragrance of truth;
compiling faithfully the deeds and words of Paul, your teacher,
your holy writings are powerful weapons of light;
through them we pierce the darkness of evil:
pray that we may love the light of all,
that delivered from the corruption of death,
we may be granted peace, eternal light and great mercy.

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe!

You beheld the fullness of God’s mysteries:
your words are a sure fortress of faith,
to you was entrusted the task of writing the word of life for us:
you faithfully obeyed God’s inspiration, eye-witness and minister of the incarnate word,
you beheld Him after the resurrection together with Cleopas,
recognizing Him with hearts aflame in the breaking of bread,
pray that He may fill with the sweetness of divine warmth
the souls of all who keep your holy memory

Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore, God has blessed you forever!

Rejoice, blameless writer of the Gospel of joy:
you have recorded for us the conception and preaching of the Baptist;
the wondrous annunciation to the Mother of the Lord;
the ineffable incarnation and birth of the Word who came forth from her womb;
His temptations, miracles and parables, His passion, cross and death,
the glory of His risen Body recognized in the breaking of bread,
His glorious ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
As a faithful witness you compiled the Acts of the Apostles.
You were Paul’s companion in travel and his greatest consolation,
beholder of divine mysteries and light of the Church:
guard us all, glorious healer.

In Tone 6, Glory…

All-wise Apostle, faithful labourer of the Saviour,
witness of the triumph of His passion,
you have completed the race, you have kept the faith,
harvesting the peoples from the darkness of error,
offering us as a sweet-smelling oblation to the heavenly King.
Now you stand before the Judge of all:
pray that He may rescue us from our sins and deliver us from eternal death,
when He comes in glory on the day of judgment.

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 5

Let us praise with sacred songs the holy apostle Luke,* the recorder of the joyous Gospel of Christ* and the scribe of the Acts of the Apostles,* for his writings are a testimony of the church of Christ:* he is the physician of human weaknesses and infirmities.* He heals the wounds of our souls,** and constantly intercedes for our salvation!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice, O Virgin, impassable gateway of the Lord! * Rejoice, protective wall of those who take refuge in you! * Rejoice, peaceful haven untroubled by storms! * Rejoice, Virgin who has not known wedlock * and yet has given birth in the flesh to your Creator and God! * O Mother of God, never cease to intercede ** for those who praise and worship your Son.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 5: Let us praise in sacred hymns the celebrated Luke* herald of the acts of the apostles,* brightly shining author of the Good News of Christ,* scribe of things unwritten which he wrote for Christ’s Church.* He is a physician for the feeble,* healing nature’s ailments and the maladies of souls* and he prays unceasingly for all of us.

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

Kontakion, Tone 2: Let us praise a genuine preacher of piety, the godly Luke,* a star of the Church and eloquent speaker concerning ineffable mysteries.* For the Word who alone knows the human heart* chose him with the wise Paul to teach the gentiles.

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands. (Psalm 18:5,2)

Epistle
Colossians 4:5-9, 14, 18

Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
verse: God is glorified in the assembly of the saints. (Psalm 88:6,8)

Gospel
Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their word unto the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 18:5)