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Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Monday Morning

Menaion - October 14

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasios, Protasius, and Celsus; and St. Cosmas the Hymnographer

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. For the Devout Man.

Mode pl. 4.

Guide of Orthodoxy and a sacred teacher of piety and dignity, luminary of the world, and God-inspired jewel of the episcopate, O wise father Cosmas, the Spirit’s instrument: by your teachings you enlightened all. Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Rejoice, O Maiden! Through an Angel you received the joy of the world! Rejoice, for you gave birth to your Creator and Lord! Rejoice, for you were counted worthy to become the Mother of Christ our God! [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 4. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For compunction.

Grave Mode.

O my soul, you have the clinic of repentance. Go to it, imploring the Physician of souls and bodies, sighing and crying, “O benevolent Lord, free me from my offenses. Number me with the harlot, the publican, and the robber; and grant to me forgiveness of my transgressions, O God, and save me.” [GOASD]

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.

I have not aspired to the publican’s repentance, nor have I acquired the tears of the harlot. Because of my indifference, I have no such amendment. So I implore You, O benevolent Lord, save me, by Your tender mercy, O Christ God. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin Theotokos, join the Powers on high, importuning your Son to grant forgiveness of offenses, before the end, to us who faithfully glorify you. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 5. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For compunction.

Grave Mode.

O Lord, You washed away Peter’s denial with his tears, and You forgave the Publican’s sins when he sighed. O benevolent Lord, have mercy on me. [GOASD]

Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me.

O my soul, in this life prepare yourself for the life to come, lest you be troubled. For in that place, nothing can help you, not wealth, nor power, not friends, nor powerful people; nothing, except the evidence of your works and the benevolence of our God. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O all-holy Virgin, you are higher in honor than the glorious Cherubim. For they are unable to endure the radiance of God, and so they cover their faces with their wings, as they perform their ministry. But you yourself are holding and beholding God the Logos incarnate. We pray you never cease imploring Him on behalf of our souls. [GOASD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For compunction.

Grave Mode.

O Lord, You accepted Peter’s tears, and You justified the Publican when he sighed from deep within. I likewise come to You in repentance, and I pray: Take pity on me, O Savior, and save me. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

O Saints, we pray you to intercede for us, that we be granted forgiveness for our offenses, and that we be delivered form impending evils and from bitter death. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

You have surpassed the Powers of heaven, for you have become the Temple of God, O blessed Theotokos, by giving birth to Christ, the Savior of our souls. [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. In heaven be amazed.

Χορὸς ἀγγελικός.

Believers, let us sing hymns extolling that foursome, * the pride and joy of Christ’s holy Martyrs, and praise them, * Nazarius, Protasius, Celsus and Gervasius. * They competed to the point of death by beheading. * Now that they received the indestructible halo, * they pray that our souls be saved. [SD]

Oikos.

Come, all you fans of feast days, and with poems and hymns of praise, let us extol that troop of four holy Martyrs: wise Protasius, and St. Gervasius, divine Nazarius, and Celsus that young preacher of God. As they confessed Christ to be great, God, and ruling with the Father and the Spirit before the ages, they reduced to ashes the fury of the pagans. And now, since their death, they pray that our souls be saved. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On October 14, we commemorate the holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius and Celsius.

On this day we commemorate our devout father Cosmas the Hagiopolite and Poet, Bishop of Maiuma.

On this day we commemorate the holy hieromartyr Silvanus.

On this day we commemorate the holy martyr Peter Absalom.

The holy Forty Martyrs of Egypt and Palestine died by the sword.

We also commemorate our devout mother Paraskeve the New.

We also commemorate our father among the saints Ignatius the miracle-worker, Archbishop of Mithymna.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Λυτρωτὰ τοῦ παντός.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

O almighty Redeemer of all the world, * You came down in the midst of the furnace fire, * and You bedewed those pious men, * and You taught them to sing praise, * “O all you works, to the Lord sing * a hymn as you bless the Lord.” [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Εὕα μὲν τῷ τῆς παρακοῆς.

Because of the malady of disobedience, Eve received the curse within herself. * But you, O Virgin Theotokos, have blossomed forth the blessing to all the world, * by means of the One who sprang from your pregnancy. * And therefore you do we all magnify. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion of the Day. For the Angels.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

We pray to you, O Archangels * and Angels, Principalities, * Authorities and Dominions, * and Thrones, and you the Cherubim * with many eyes, as well as you * the six-winged Seraphim, entreat * and intercede on our behalf, * that we be rescued from peril * and from everlasting hell fire. [SD]

For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

Let us extol that foursome of holy Martyrs, * Nazarius, Gervasius, and young Celsus, * and also glorious St. Protasius. * Let us crown them with hymns of praise. * They pray to God and implore Him, * that on the world He have mercy. [SD]

For St. Cosmas.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

You have extolled the Virgin pure * Theotokos with beauty: * hymns rolling off your sweetest tongue, * divine words set in meter, saying that God was born of her * literally and truly. * Standing now near the Trinity * with her, O god-inspired devout Cosmas, * by your intercessions, O holy Father, * grant me to be like you in thought, * action, and contemplation. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

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

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha. For the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

He is a lamp of divine light * that brightly shines far and wide; * he is a tuneful lyre, * the harp string of the Spirit, * articulating God’s holy words. Now for us * he has set forth a joyous feast * of his inspired hymnography, and thereby * he makes us, the godly-minded, rejoice. [SD]

Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]

He is the all-holy Spirit’s harp and hymnographer, * the songbird and cicada * of divine songs and poems, * the Church’s clarinet. He delightfully sings * and he teaches the universe * through hymns divinely inspired to glorify * the divine all-holy Trinity. [SD]

Verse: What shall we give back to the Lord for all He rendered to us? [SAAS]

Standing near God the Creator of all, along with hosts * of immaterial beings, O divine holy Father * Cosmas, commemorate us to Him as we keep * your most luminous feast today, * and pray that He will deliver us from all harm * and disaster and catastrophe. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Let us extol in song that spiritual songwriter, using the words of the psalm-writer David. “Grace was poured out on your lips, O devout Father, and your tongue became the pen of a swift-writing scribe, beautifully composing for us the songs of salvation. Through them we have been taught how to glorify in song the saving plan of Christ and the great mystery of the Holy Trinity, as we entreat that great mercy be given to our souls.” [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

From my wretched heart expel my bad habits that keep me far * from your good Son, my Savior Christ, * O all-blameless and all-good * Theotokos, I humbly pray. * And by the power that He has given you, * frustrate the crafty serpent who watches me, * that wicked lion who * roams about and seeks to swallow me alive, * that crooked infernal snake; crush him beneath my feet. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. For the Devout Man.

Mode pl. 4.

Guide of Orthodoxy and a sacred teacher of piety and dignity, luminary of the world, and God-inspired jewel of the episcopate, O wise father Cosmas, the Spirit’s instrument: by your teachings you enlightened all. Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Rejoice, O Gate of the King of glory! Only the Most High passed through you, and you alone He preserved sealed, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

Dismissal

PRIEST

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 the holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasios, Protasius, and Celsus; and St. Cosmas the Hymnographer, whose memory we observe, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Amen.