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Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Menaion - September 13

Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross

Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection

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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.

Psalm 102.

Psalm 145.

The Beatitudes.

Mode 4.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode iii. Mode 4. N/M (Not in our wisdom.)

Οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ.

From Menaion - - -

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]

Glorified Cross of the Lord, who are Christ’s glory, we glorify you in faith, as we are glorified and illumined by venerating and holding you. [GOASD]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]

O believers, let us approach with joy draw ever-living drinks of grace from the Cross, as from a pure fountain; and thus being saved, let us sing praises to God. [GOASD]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]

Jesus, who is life, died when He was hanged on the tree of the Cross. We faithfully now venerate it with a kiss, and we evade the passions that bring about death. [GOASD]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]

Theotokion.

O pure Virgin who bore the all-compassionate Lord, shine on me and drive away the darkness of my soul; break the chains of sin, and save me. [GOASD]

Canon of the Consecration.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode 4. I will sacrifice to You.

Θύσω σοι μετὰ φωνῆς.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]

Christ the King as Lord has now desired the beauty of the holy Church that He founded. * He has made her mother of all the nations * He adopted by the Spirit and rescued from slavery. [GOASD]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]

Battalions of wicked demons shudder before the Church of Christ and fearfully tremble, * for the holy sign of the Cross is marked there; * and the Spirit’s illumination covers and hallows it. [GOASD]

Glory.

Having her foundation not on sand but the rock of Christ, the holy Church of the Gentiles * is adorned with unapproachable beauty, * with the symbols of the eternal kingdom bedecking her. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O miracle, more novel than all other miracles! * Behold, without man a Virgin * in her body conceived the One who holds * in His hands the universe, and He was not confined by her. [SD]

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

O benevolent Lord, as an intercessor we we present to You the life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which we the unworthy have as a gift from You. Save our leaders and our nation and keep them in peace, through the Theotokos. [SD]

For the Consecration.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

You have made the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever and ever, and accept our supplications that we unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection of all. [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

Lord, Your Church appears to us * to be like heaven * full of light, and guides with light * all who believe in You, O Christ. * And we who stand in it cry to You: * Savior, establish forever this holy house. [SD]

Trisagios Hymn

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

The Epistle

For the Consecration.

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 92.

Your throne is prepared from of old; You are from everlasting. [SAAS]

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty. [SAAS]

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

Heb. 3:1 – 4

Holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all his house. Yet Jesus has been counted worthy of as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. (For every house is built by some one but the builder of all things is God. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode 1. Psalm 86.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: His foundations are in the holy mountains. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Glorious things were said concerning you, O city of God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

For the Consecration.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 16:13 – 19

At that time, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Communion Hymn. Psalm 25.

O Lord, I love the beauty of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DISMISSAL

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Fasting Rule

Wine: Wine and oil are allowed. Refrain from meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

It is a minor feast.