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Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.

On Saturday Evening

Menaion Supplement - October 20

Memory of our devout father Gerasimos of Kephallenia

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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 to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 4.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Hide Stichologia

Resurrectional Stichera. Mode pl. 4.

From Octoechos - - -

Sticheron 1.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord. [SAAS]

We offer You, O Christ, evening hymns of praise, this service of spiritual worship. For You were well pleased to have mercy on us through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 2.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me. [SAAS]

We pray You, O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your presence. Please have mercy on us, through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 3.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. [SAAS]

Rejoice, O holy Zion, Mother of the churches, and where God made His dwelling! You were first to receive the forgiveness of sins through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 4.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. [SAAS]

The Logos, who before all ages was begotten of God the Father and in latter times became incarnate of the ever-virgin Mary, of His own will endured crucifixion and death, and through His resurrection He saved humanity, which had died long ago. [GOASD]

Stichera. For St. Gerasimos.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. Marvel at the wondrous paradox.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύματος.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

What a paradoxical miracle! * For in body, in truth, the divine Gerasimos, * the glorious ornament of Cephalonia, * completed while still on earth the life of angels, incited by love for Christ. * An eminent vessel of the gifts of grace of the Spirit did he become. * Therefore let us all rejoicing * celebrate his memory * and consider with pleasure * the ascetic struggles of his life. [SD]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

Indeed, O wise one, these wonders of yours! * By the Spirit’s action, you were greatly glorified. * You rescued the woman who had fallen into the well. * And now you ward off the swarms of unclean spirits and illnesses everyday * and save those who call on you from their destruction, O blessed Gerasimos. * For you hasten, holy father, * everywhere and grant to all * the redeeming assistance * of your fervent intercessions with God. [SD]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Extremely precious and glorified * by our God, your sacred relic, O Gerasimos * to us has been given as a source of holiness. * It manifests unto all the incorruptible wealth of good things to come * and terminates the effects of the diseases of body and soul alike. * It refutes the empty chatter * of those presuming to be wise * by confirming the Church’s * authority which derives from above. [SD]

Additional Stichera.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 2. Are there any worthy crowns.

Ποίοις εὐφημιῶν στέμμασιν.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

Are there any worthy crowns of praise * so that we might lay them on the God-bearing saint, * who to all the world appeared recently * and illuminates Christ’s entire Church * with the blazing light of his miracles; * the newly fashioned foundation of the true belief; * the glowing lamp of dispassion placed for all to see; * who by his feats of ascetic * endeavor abolished * all the force of the demons’ might * and grants unto all when besought * divine mercy and enlightenment. [SD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Are there any songs for us Orthodox * to worthily extol the God-bearing saint, * the most precious jewel of the Paraclete, * and the perfect model for monastics all; * the shining container of divine grace; * the fragrant, sweet-scented flower of Peloponnisos; * the wholly marvelous honor of Cephalonia; * the great physician and healer * of those possessed by demons; * the renowned saint Gerasimos, * who grants unto all when besought * expiation and divine mercy. [SD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

Are there any melodious songs for us * to congratulate you, O God-bearing Saint. * In the world as one who was bodiless * your life emulated the angels’ life * and you were by God brightly glorified. * And henceforth, the Church is radiant with joy in you. * Your Island, Kefallinia likewise is jubilant. * For in her bosom she possesses * your long-honored body, * and she cries from her heart to you: * O holy Gerasimos, * ever guard me by your intercessions. [SD]

Glory.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1.

In a spirit of gratitude, come out of your homes, O Cephalonians, and rejoice. [SD]

Mode pl. 1.

And let us hasten that we may delight in the wonders of the newly appeared luminary of the Church.

Mode 2.

And let us stand around the highly revered casket and fully enjoy its grace.

Mode pl. 2.

Seized with awe, viewing the all-venerable body from which miracles emanate, let us piously honor the servant of Christ, and let us hasten to cry out the hymn: “Behold, the most wondrous St. Gerasimos is on display.

Mode 3.

“So let us lift up our hands, and gratefully receive him, as one sent to us from heaven.

Grave Mode.

“For blessings are richly given to us all through him. We do not cease drawing near to him, even if it is impossible to bestow worthy honor on him.

Mode 4.

“For both alive and after death, he is a treasure that we possess.”

Mode pl. 4.

Therefore, O venerable God-bearing Father, pray together with the immaculate Maiden, Mary the Mother of God, and intercede unceasingly with Christ, that He guard us, your children, and that He save us from every hostile assault, since we are under your protection.

Mode 1.

And to the ages with splendor we call you blessed. [SD]

Both now. Mode pl. 4.

From Octoechos - - -

The First Theotokion of the Mode.

The King of heaven appeared on earth and lived among men, in His benevolence towards humanity. He assumed flesh from the pure Virgin, and, with the human nature that He assumed, He was born from her. Now twofold in nature, He is but one person, the Son. So we confess and correctly profess that fully divine and fully human He is one and the same, Christ our God. We pray you, His virgin Mother, entreat Him to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

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

Verse: The Lord clothed and girded Himself with power.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

The Readings

Menaion Supplement - - -

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 3:1 – 9

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torture will ever touch them. In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, and their departure was considered to be misfortune, and their passage from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in man’s view they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Though chastened in a few things, great kindness will be shown them, for God tested them and found them worthy of Himself. He tested them like gold in a furnace and accepted them as a whole burnt offering. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and they will run about like sparks through straw. They will judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful shall continue with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His elect [and He watches over His holy ones]. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 5:15 – 6:3

The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; and their care is by the Most High. Therefore they shall receive a kingly dwelling of dignity and a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord, because He will shelter them with His right hand and protect them with His arm. He will take His zeal as His full armor and will turn His creation into weapons against His enemies. He will wear righteousness as a breastplate and put on impartial judgment as a helmet. He will take holiness as an unconquerable shield and sharpen His relentless wrath for a sword; and creation will fight with Him against the senseless. Well-aimed flashes of lightning will strike and leap to their object as from a well-drawn bow of clouds; and hailstones full of anger will be hurled as from an engine of war. The water of the sea will be vexed with them, and the rivers will wash over them severely. A powerful wind will oppose them, and like a storm it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste all the earth, and wrongdoing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations. For power was given to you from the Lord, and your lordship from the Most High. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 4:7 – 15

Though a righteous man may die before his time, he shall be at rest. For old age is not honored for its length of existence, nor measured by its number of years; but discernment is gray hair for mankind, and a spotless life is the maturity of old age. There was once a man pleasing to God and loved by Him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or deceit deceive his soul. For envy arising from lack of judgment obscures what is good, and a whirling of desire undermines an innocent heart. He was made perfect, for in a short time he fulfilled long years, for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore, He took him early from the midst of evil. Yet peoples saw this but did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that the Lord’s grace and mercy are with His elect and that He watches over His holy ones. [SAAS]

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. ) [HC]

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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 good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the 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)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Resurrectional Aposticha.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Jesus, You descended from heaven, and You ascended the Cross. You, who are immortal life, came in order to die. You, who are the true light, went to those who sat in darkness, the resurrection of all, to those who were fallen. Our enlightener and Savior, glory to You! [GOASD]

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power. [SAAS]

Let us glorify Christ who has risen from the dead. He had assumed both a soul and a body, and enduring His Passion He separated them. His immaculate soul went down to Hades, and He devastated it, while in the grave the holy body of the Redeemer of our souls did not see corruption nor undergo decay. [GOASD]

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]

With Psalms and hymns we glorify Your resurrection from the dead, through which You, O Christ, freed us from the tyranny of Hades, and as God You gave to the world life eternal and the great mercy. [GOASD]

Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]

O Master of the universe, incomprehensible Maker of heaven and earth, through Your Passion and the Cross, You became for me a fount of dispassion. You consented to be buried, then You rose again in glory, raising Adam with yourself by Your almighty hand. Glory to Your resurrection on the third day! Through it You have given us eternal life and forgiveness of sins, O supremely compassionate Lord. [GOASD]

Glory. For St. Gerasimos.

Glory.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Who can worthily extol your ascetic feats, and your many miracles, O wonder-working father Gerasimos. For you lived on earth as an angel, O blessed one; and you have been worthily glorified, by the abundant granting of grace. For not only did you appear alive and extract the woman from the well, but you also deliver many people from the scourge of unclean spirits. Therefore, we fall down before your precious relic, and cry aloud to you: Pray to our merciful Lord to be gracious towards us, we beseech you, O holy father. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

All-blameless Virgin, who did not know man yet ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High, hear our supplications when we pray to you, who provide the cleansing of offenses to all. Again we pray you, receive us who now entreat you, and implore your Son to save us all. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode pl. 4.

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You! [GOASD]

Glory. For St. Gerasimos.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1.

O believers, let us praise the protector of the Orthodox, the God-bearing miracle-worker lately appearing to us, the incarnate angel, divine Gerasimos. For he has rightly received from God the ever-flowing grace of performing healings. He strengthens those with diseases and he heals those with demons. And therefore he pours out healings to those who honor him. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Gabriel had said to you, “Rejoice!” blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free! [GOASD]

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

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.

PRIEST

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

May He who rose from the dead, 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, our devout and God-bearing father Gerasimos the New Ascetic, whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

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

CHOIR

Amen.