Event Information:
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Mon30Dec2024
The Holy Martyr Anysia; The Venerable Zoticus, Presbyter and Protector of Orphans.
Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ.
VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
There are no appointed psalms for this evening.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Made radiant by the splendour of virginity, O most lauded one,* you shone forth in the struggles of martyrdom;* for, refusing to worship the sun, you endured unjust slaughter,* and; dyed with your blood, you have come to stand before the Sun of glory,* illumined by the splendours emitted by Him, O crowned one.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Showing forth heartfelt love, O glorious one,* you drenched the earth with tears of compunction,* and wiped the footstool of Christ dry with your hair,* contemplating and looking toward Him as transcendent, whom desired;* and, touching His feet in mind, you enlightened your soul* with visions most divine.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Having distributed your wealth and provided for the poor,* you betrothed yourself to your incorrupt Bridegroom, O most glorious one,* and as a dowry brought to Him the streams of your blood* and the endurance of sufferings which you bore, O Anysia.* And the Most High has caused your to dwell in His bridal-chamber* as a passion-bearer and martyr.
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.
O you who have enrolled in the choirs of the angels,* when divine love set you afire and caused you to soar far above visible things* because of your dispassion and purity,* then with words of trust in God you brought your spouse to life,* putting aside the fleeting and inconstant tumult of life.* Having found with him everlasting life and delight,* you pray to the Master that He save our souls.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Desiring the life of the angels when you vomited up sweet food,* and having trained yourself in abstinence* and the keeping of vigil in lying on the ground and in purity,* you became the most pure vessel of the divine Spirit,* adorned for Him with all-splendid gifts, O most honoured one.* You drew the people toward His divine love, O Melania,* and lead them to the Master, the Saviour of our souls.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Adorned with the beauties of the virtues when you fulfilled the word of the Saviour,* you gave to the poor and wretched, distributing ten thousands of golden coins,* and received heavenly riches,* being enriched forever with righteousness, incorruption and deliverance.* We honour your repose and earnestly entreat you: Entreat the Creator that He enlighten our souls.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
“Glory to God in the highest!” is heard from the incorporeal ones in Bethlehem today,* addressed to Him who was well pleased to become Peace on earth.* Now the Virgin is become more spacious than the heavens,* for Light has shone forth upon the benighted and lifted up the lowly* who chant with the angels: Glory to God in the highest!
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
And now bless the Lord,* all you servants of the Lord.
verse: Who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courtyards of the house of our God.
Aposticha
Tone 2
Christ, shining forth as a star from Jacob,* has enlightened the nations with the light of divine knowledge.* Let us glorify Him!
From the womb before the morning star have I begotten You. The Lord has sworn and will not repent.
Rejoice, O Bethlehem, city of David,* for He who was begotten of the Father without mother* has become incarnate within you without father* of the pure Virgin, the divine Maiden.
The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand.
The Word of the Father, assuming flesh, has been born,* has been wrapped in swaddling clothes and lain in a manger,* releasing me from irrationality.
Tone 1, Glory… Now…
Beholding that which He had created* according to His image and likeness corrupted by disobedience,* Jesus descended, bowing down the heavens,* and made His abode in the Virgin’s womb without undergoing change,* that in her He might restore Adam who had become corrupt, yet cries:* Glory to Your appearance,* O my Deliverer and God!
Troparia
Tone 4
Your lamb, Anysia, O Jesus, cries in a loud voice:* “You, O my Bridegroom, I love; and, seeking You, I undergo martyrdom.* And with You I am crucified and buried in Your baptism,* and I suffer for Your sake that I may reign with You.* And I die on Your behalf that I may live in You.* Receive me as a spotless sacrifice,* sacrificed for You with love.”* Through her intercession in Your mercy save our souls.
Tone 8, Glory…
You loved the purity of virginity* and supplicated your Beloved with gracious words.* You spent your fortunes for the monks and nuns,* and you even built them monasteries, O blessed Melanie.* Now that you have retired to a heavenly monastery, do not forget us.
Tone 4, Now…
Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.
DIVINE LITURGY ON MONDAY MORNING
Antiphon 1
I will confess You, Lord, with all my heart,* I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
In the council of the just and the congregation,* great are the works of the Lord, conforming to His will in every way.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
His work is filled with praise and majesty,* and His righteousness endures forever.
Through the prayers of the Mother of God,* O Saviour, save us.
Glory… Now… Only-Begotten Son…
Antiphon 3
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord, let us acclaim God, our Saviour.
Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Let us come before His face with praise, and acclaim Him in psalms.
Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
For God is the great Lord, and the great king over all the earth.
Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Entrance
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Son of God, born of a Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Your Nativity, O Christ our God,* made the light of knowledge dawn on the world:* through it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star* to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness,* and to know You, the Dawn from on the high.* Glory to You, O Lord.
Troparion, Tone 4: Your lamb, Anysia, O Jesus, cries in a loud voice:* “You, O my Bridegroom, I love; and, seeking You, I undergo martyrdom.* And with You I am crucified and buried in Your baptism,* and I suffer for Your sake that I may reign with You.* And I die on Your behalf that I may live in You.* Receive me as a spotless sacrifice,* sacrificed for You with love.”* Through her intercession in Your mercy 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 3: The Virgin today gives birth to Him who is above all being;* the earth offers the cave to Him whom no one can approach;* Angel with shepherds give Him glory,* while Magi make their way with a star,* for to us is born a little Child – the pre-eternal God.
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Let all the earth worship You and sing to You; let it sing to Your Name, O Most High.
verse: Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing now to His name, give glory to His praise. (Psalm 65:4,2)
Epistle
1 Peter 2:21-3:9
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hands.
verse: Day announces its message unto day and night proclaims its knowledge unto night. (Psalm 18:2,3)
Gospel
Mark 12:13-17
Hymn to the Mother of God
O my soul, magnify Christ the King born in a manger.
and the Irmos: A strange and glorious mystery do I behold:* the cave is heaven;* the Virgin, the throne of the cherubim;* the manger, a dwelling place* in which is laid Christ, the God Whom nothing can contain.* Singing His praises, we magnify Him.
Communion Hymn
The Lord has sent deliverance* to His people.* Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalm 110:9)
Instead of Blessed is He who comes… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin.
Instead of May our mouths… and Blessed be the Name… we sing:
All creation is filled with rejoicing today, for Christ is born of a Virgin. (3)