Dormition Fast.
VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Today the divine assembly of the faithful rejoices* for the Cross appears throughout the world!* It illumines the heavens with ineffable light,* brightens the air, adorning the face of the earth.* The church of Christ exults with divine singing,* venerating and serving the holy and wondrous Cross* which preserves her from above.* As we are strengthened by its power,* let us approach the Master saying:* grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Let all creation rejoice and dance!* For today the Cross shines from heaven to the ends of the earth!* It enlightens those who are born on earth, bringing them to unity.* Today mankind exults with the choirs of angels,* for the Cross has destroyed the dividing walls and gathered all into one.* Shining brighter than the sun, it enlightens all creation with grace,* showing salvation plainly to those who honour it in faith!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Shining brighter than the sun,* revealing itself to the world as the sceptre of Christ the King,* it shines to all the ends of the earth.* It has brought the human race out of hell.* And having despoiled hell and overthrown the enemy,* it vanquishes the arrogance of demons.* Now it declares the resurrection of the Saviour, and saves all who cry:* grant peace to the world, and enlighten our souls!
Tone 1
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Persecution did not shake the roof of the law,* firmly upheld by seven pillars.* For they bravely endured the senseless fury of their tormenter,* giving their bodies to the executioners:* these noble young men and brothers,* guardians of the oracles of Moses.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Raising their minds above visible things,* their bodily limbs cut down,* the brave and righteous youths,* with their divinely-wise mother,* were strengthened by the great hopes which have been fulfilled,* as they now rest in the bosom* of their forefather Abraham!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Most holy Eleazer, the young men* and their divinely wise mother,* arming themselves firmly with youthful boldness of soul,* gathering strength from zeal,* steadfastly attacked the adversary for the sake of piety,* to preserve the law of their fathers.
Tone 8, Glory…
The holy Maccabees said to the tyrant:* Antiochus, there is for us one king alone:* God in whom we have our being and to whom we turn!* A world higher and more lasting than the one we see awaits us.* Our homeland is the sure and invincible Jerusalem!* She keeps this solemn feast with the angels;* by their prayers, have mercy on us and save us!
Now…
In ancient times, Moses prefigured the Cross,* casting down Amalek in defeat;* your Cross is the footstool David the psalmist* proclaimed worthy of veneration!* We sinners honour it today with unworthy lips, Christ our God.* We entreat you, for you were freely nailed upon it:* Lord, with the thief, make us worthy of Your kingdom!
Aposticha
Tone 1
Come and celebrate the procession of the Cross,* you who love solemn assemblies!* Let us show forth our joy, crying out in the fullness of faith:* Cross of Christ, by the grace of the One who was lifted up on you,* sanctify us and save us from all harm by your might!
Extol the Lord our God; worship at His footstool for it is holy!
The precious Cross traverses the heavens,* assisting the veneration of all in fear and love!* As you were crucified upon it, number with the powers on high* those who praise it with love!
God is our King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth!
In venerating the precious Cross with faith,* we worship the Master whom it crucified!* With the veneration of our lips, we purify our souls,* showing forth our joy as we praise* the sacred radiance of the Cross!
Tone 8, Glory…
The souls of the just are in the hands of God:* Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the forefathers before the Law,* and their inheritance, the Maccabees whom now we praise.* For these sons of Abraham followed him in the faith with strength of soul,* wrestling even to death for the sake of godliness.* Raised in reverence and striving worthily,* they reproved the godless Antiochus.* For the sake of eternal life they scorned the things of this world,* setting aside for God their lives: soul and body!* Holy mother, who brought forth for us these seven sons!* With her, Maccabees, and the wise priest Eleazar,* as you stand before Christ our God for whom you laboured,* entering into the fruits of your reward, ever pray to him for mankind.* For according to His will, He answers those who pray to Him in faith!
Now…
The voice of your prophet Moses cried out, O God:* behold your life as it hangs before your eyes!* So today the Cross is lifted up and the world set free from error.* Today Christ’s resurrection is renewed!* The ends of the earth rejoice with David in songs and cymbals:* O God, You have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth:* the crucifixion and resurrection by which we are saved!* All-powerful, good Lord, the Lover of mankind, glory to You!
Troparia
Tone 1
We beseech you, O Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication the suffering which the saints endured for your sake, O Lord,** and heal all our infirmities.
Glory… Now…
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,** and protect Your community by Your Cross.
DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 1: Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance.* Grant victory to Your faithful people against enemies,* and protect Your community by Your cross.
Troparion, Tone 1: We beseech You, Lord of mankind,* to accept in supplication* the suffering which the saints endured for Your sake, Lord,* and heal all our infirmities.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: By Your own choice, O Christ our God,* You were lifted on the cross.* Grant Your mercies to Your new community* that bears Your name.* By Your power gladden the faithful people* and grant them victory against enemies.* May they have the help of Your instrument of peace,* the invincible sign of victory.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion: Tone 2: Most wise Maccabees,* seven pillars of the wisdom of God;* a divinely lit seven-branched candlestick!* Great martyrs before the martyrs of Christ:* Join them in asking the God of all to save those who honour you!
Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm27:9,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
To the saints who are in His land, the Lord has made wonderful all His desires in them. (Psalm 15:3)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
Alleluia, Tone 4
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 74:2,12)
verse: The just cried out and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of their afflictions. (Psalm 33:18)
Gospel
John 19:6-11,13-20,25-28,30-35
Communion Hymn
Let the light of Your countenance, O Lord,* shine upon us (Psalm 4:7).* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 32:1)