Event Information:
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Tue03Dec2024
The Holy Prophet Zephaniah.
Nativity Fast.
VESPERS ON MONDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 3
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Perceiving in me a slothfulness toward profitable works,* the serpent of many shapes transforms itself,* luring me towards ever more bitter evils,* showing me the sweetness of sin,* by his own bitter activity,* which is opposed to the commandments of God.* And taking advantage of my wicked character,* forcing me to accept evils as good.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Having eagerly trodden the whole path of iniquity and sin,* and utterly departed from that which is straight,* I have now drawn nigh to the gates of death;* and, hemmed in, I cry aloud: О my supremely good Jesus, O path of our life,* turn me to the broad expanse of true repentance;* save and grant me correction;* and before my death, grant me divine forgiveness!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
I have been slain by diverse sins, by multitudes of transgressions and great misdeeds;* and I lie dead, truly helpless.* Only my hope in Your tender compassion remains alive, О Christ,* who grants both breath and life to the dead and slays the passions which kill us.* Wherefore, going before me, rescue me from everlasting death.
Tone 4
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
As a divine prophet, herald and proclaimer of the words of God,* receiving the radiance of divine splendour in purity of mind,* you were revealed as the divinely inspired mouth of the Spirit!* You proclaim the things He revealed to you,* telling all the nations, most honoured one, * of the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation that is given to men.* Entreat Him to save and enlighten our souls!
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
You fittingly shine forth in the vision of God,* divinely inspired one,* honoured with grace and a chief place among the prophets,* receiving the blessings of God!* Now that you have boldness towards the all good one and sympathy for us,* we honour you for having the eloquence of God,* being honourable and pleasing to him.* Never cease to pray on behalf of those who praise you in faith,* that He may deliver us from misfortunes and save our souls!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You revealed Your prophet, Immortal One,* to be a living cloud pouring forth the water of eternal life!* You sent him forth, giving him freely the all-holy Spirit,* consubstantial with You, the Almighty Father,* and Your Son, who shone forth from Your Essence,* by which he prophesied the saving coming of Christ our God,* proclaiming salvation to all the nations!
Tone 3, Glory… Now…
О blessed Mary, divinely joyous Maiden, cloud of the never-waning Light:* Shine the light of repentance upon me who am mindlessly stuck fast in the darkness of sin;* and by your supplications deliver me* from the fire of Gehenna and the unremitting darkness, О most pure Virgin,* and show me to share in the never-setting day,* for I flee beneath your protection.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
The Lord hears me* when I cry out to Him.
verse: Whenever I called, the God of my justice heard me.
Aposticha
Tone 3
Our evening hymn do we bring to You, O Christ,* with incense and spiritual songs,* have mercy on us and save our souls.
I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.
Save me, O Lord my God for You are the salvation of all:* The storm of the passions disquiets me,* and the yoke of my transgressions weighs heavily upon me.* Stretch out Your helping hand and lead me up to the light of compunction,* for You alone are compassionate and the Lover of mankind.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.
Great is the power of Your martyrs, О Christ;* for while lying in their graves they drive evil spirits away;* and, having struggled for piety with their faith in the Trinity,* they abolished the authority of the enemy.
Tone 3, Glory… Now…
O Theotokos, holy among women, O Mother unwedded:* entreat the King and God whom you bore,* that He save us, insofar as He is the Lover of mankind.
Troparia
Tone 2
As we celebrate the memory of Your prophet, Zephaniah,* O Lord, we beseech You through him: “Save our souls!”
Glory… Now…
O Mother of God and virgin forever,* through you we have been made to share the divine nature;* you have given birth for us to the incarnate God.* Therefore, we all exalt you with great devotion.
DIVINE LITURGY ON TUESDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 2: As we celebrate the memory of Your prophet, Zephaniah,* O Lord, we beseech You through him: “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 by the spirit* your pure heart, having seen the distant in the present* became a vessel of brilliant prophecy;* and so we honour you, O blessed and glorious prophet, Zephaniah.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.
verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” (Psalm 109:4,1)
Epistle
Hebrews 4:1-13
Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Moses and Aaron are among His priests and Samuel among those who call upon His name.
verse: Light is risen for the just and joy for the righteous of heart. (Psalm 96:11)
Gospel
Luke 21:12-19
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)