Books - Sources

Octoechos - Mode 2.

On Saturday Morning

Menaion - November 9

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrios; our Devout Mother Matrona

Horologion

Apolytikia for Weekdays

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse: And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Apolytikion for the Day.

For the Saints.

From Horologion - - -

Mode 2.

O Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics and the Righteous, you finished the race and kept the faith. You speak freely to the Savior. We pray you entreat Him on our behalf, to save our souls, since He is good. [SD]

Glory. Another.

From Horologion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Remember Your servants, O Lord, since You are good, and forgive them for all their sins in life; for no one is without sin except for You who are able to give rest to those who have passed away. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 2.

Holy Mother of the immaculate Light, we honor you with angelic hymns, and magnify you piously. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 16. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For the Martyrs.

Mode 2.

You make Your holy martyrs shinier than gold, and You glorify Your devout ascetics, since You are good. Being importuned by them, O Christ our God, bring peace into our lives, O benevolent Lord, and let our prayer as incense rise to You, who alone dwell in the holy. [GOASD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

O victorious Athletes of the Lord, blessed is the ground that was watered with your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits. You prevailed over the enemy in the stadium, and you openly proclaimed Christ. We pray you will earnestly entreat Him for us, that He save our souls, since He is good. [SD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them He magnified all His will. [SAAS]

O Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics and the Righteous, you finished the race and kept the faith. You speak freely to the Savior. We pray you entreat Him on our behalf, to save our souls, since He is good. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

All surpassing every thought, all surpassing glorious, O Theotokos, are your mysteries. With your chastity sealed and your virginity preserved, still you are a mother in truth, for to the true God you gave birth. We pray you fervently entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]

Psalm 118 is recited in two stanzas. The reader begins reading up to v. 93 (“I will never forget…,” which is sung three times. Then the priest does the litany for the deceased. After the exclamation, the reader resumes reading, from v. 94 (“I am Yours…”) until the end, at which point v. 175 and v. 176 are joined (“My soul shall live… I went astray…”) and sung three times, followed immediately by the Evlogetaria for the Dead. Then the priest repeats the litany for the deceased. After that, the hymns of the second kathisma are sung. In the parishes, where the Psalm is typically not read, the hymns of the first kathisma are immediately followed by the Evlogetaria for the Dead; then the litany for the deceased is done, once, followed by the he hymns of the second kathisma.

Evlogetaria for the Dead.

Mode pl. 1.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

The choir of Saints has found the fountain of life and the door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance. I am the sheep that is lost: O Savior, call me back and save me. [HC]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

You who proclaimed the Gospel of the Lamb of God * and who were yourselves like lambs slaughtered, * and were translated to life that is immortal and eternal, * earnestly entreat Him, O holy martyr Saints, * that He grant us remission of all our debts. [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

All you who during your earthly life * walked the narrow way full of hardships, * who taking up the cross as a yoke * followed after Me believing, * come now and enjoy the rewards * and the heavenly crowns that I prepared for you. [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

Of old You created me from nothing and honored me with Your divine image. But when I disobeyed Your commandment, O Lord, You cast me down to the earth from where I was taken. Lead me back again to Your likeness, and renew my original beauty. [HC]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

I am an image of Your ineffable glory, though I bear the scars of my transgressions. On Your creation, Master, take pity and cleanse me by Your compassion. Grant me the homeland for which I long and once again make me a citizen of Paradise. [HC]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

Give rest, O God, to Your servant, and place him (her) in Paradise where the choirs of the Saints and the righteous will shine as the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant give rest, O Lord, and forgive all his (her) offenses. [HC]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The threefold radiance of the one God let us praise, and let us shout in song: Holy are You, eternal Father, coeternal Son, and divine Spirit! Illumine us who worship You in faith and deliver us from the eternal fire. [HC]

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice, gracious Lady, who for the salvation of all gave birth to God in the flesh, and through whom the human race has found salvation. Through you, pure and blessed Theotokos, may we find Paradise. [HC]

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

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for the blessed memory and eternal repose of all pious Orthodox Christians who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection unto life everlasting, emperors, patriarchs, bishops, priests, hieromonks, deacons, monastics, fathers, forebears, grandparents, great-grandparents, parents, spouses, children, siblings, and all our relatives, from the beginning until the end of time; and for the forgiveness of all their sins, both voluntary and involuntary.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

May the Lord God place their souls where the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of Heaven, and the forgiveness of their sins from Christ our immortal king and God.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

O God of spirits and of all flesh, You trampled upon death and abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the souls of Your departed servants, emperors, patriarchs, bishops, priests, hieromonks, deacons, monks, nuns, and all pious Orthodox Christians who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection unto life everlasting, from all the ends of the world, fathers, forebears, grandparents, great-grandparents, parents, spouses, children, siblings, and all our relatives. Give them rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. As good and benevolent God, forgive every sin they have committed in word, deed, or thought, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of all the departed faithful Orthodox Christians, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma II.

Mode pl. 1.

O Savior, let Your servants repose with the righteous, and let them dwell in Your courts, according to the Scriptures. Overlook their voluntary and involuntary offenses, every sin committed knowingly or unknowingly, benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Glory.

Every sin committed knowingly or unknowingly, benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From the Virgin You rose on the world, O Christ God. Through her make us sons of light and have mercy on us. [GOASD]

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. For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

Τὰ ἄνω ζητῶν.

Illumined by grace of the uncreated Trinity, * the glorious pair of Martyr saints steadfastly * wrestled with the enemy, * and they brought down his conceit to the ground. * And now with the Angels they pray * unceasingly for all of us to the Trinity. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. N/M (In seeking the heights.)

Τὰ ἄνω ζητῶν.

By fasting you withered your body, while dwelling among men, O Matrona. You preoccupied yourself with prayer, and thus inspired you served the Master, for whom you had abandoned everything, and you lived your life as a devout monastic. [SD]

Oikos.

O Christ, open my mouth to extol and relate the struggles of Your devout woman Saint Matrona. She abandoned everything, considering all things on earth to be corruptible, and she loved only You, the Bridegroom. She signed in herself the sign of the life-bearing Cross, and she brought down the audacity of demons and utterly vanquished them, for she lived her life as a devout monastic. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 9, we commemorate the holy Martyrs Onesiphoros and Porphyrios.

On this day we also commemorate our devout mother Matrona.

On this day we also commemorate devout Saint Theoktiste of Lesbos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy women Efstolia and Sopatra.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Anthony.

On this day Saints Christopher and Maura died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Narses and Artemon.

On this day our devout father Saint John the Short died in peace.

On this day devout Saint Helladios died in peace.

Devout Saint Symeon Metaphrastes died in peace.

Our devout and God-bearing fathers Efthymios and Neophytos, the founders of the holy Monastery of Docheiariou on Mt. Athos, died in peace.

On this day, we also commemorate our father among the saints Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis in Egypt, the Wonder-worker and founder of the holy Monastery of Holy Trinity on Aegina, who reposed in holiness in the year 1920.

By their intercessions, Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Νικηταὶ τυράννου.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

By Your grace those Servants, * who adhered exceedingly to Your commandments, * once became the victors * over the tyrant * and the burning flame in the furnace and cried aloud: * Bless the Lord, O all you the works of the Lord, * and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages. [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 pl. 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 pl. 4.

Ἔφριξε πᾶσα ἀκοή.

All hearers shuddered when they heard * the unheard-of condescension of God to us: * that voluntarily * the Most High came down, and even bodily, * and from a Virgin’s womb was born, * becoming a man from her. * Hence, the immaculate * Theotokos we believers now 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.

Exaposteilarion of the Day.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

O only God who reposes * in those alone who are holy, * attend to the intercessions * of Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, * and of the devout monastics, * and save us all who extol You. [SD]

For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Martyrs Onesiphorus the great and St. Porphyrius, * illustrious for their contests, * illumined the world with splendors * of martyrdom, which they endured. And therefore let us honor them, * for they are sure to intercede * for us who with faith remember * their memory and observe it. [GOASD]

For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

O godly-minded Matrona, * you wholly lifted up your mind * above all contact with things mundane, * and never turning back, your walked * the path of the Savior’s commandments. * Now pray for us without ceasing. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

O Virgin, the holy Prophets * in their inspired sacred writings * announced that you were to become * the Mother of God. And therefore * knowing you as Theotokos, * with faith and love we extol you. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

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.

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.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera for the Martyrs.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

The holy Martyrs took the Cross of Christ as invincible armor, and they neutralized all the power of the devil. They were awarded heavenly medals, and now for us they have become a fortification, as they ever intercede on our behalf. [GOASD]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Your many Saints implore You, O Christ. Have mercy on us, O benevolent Lord. [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Every city and land venerates your relics, O victorious Martyrs. For having lawfully contested, you received a heavenly crown. And therefore you are the pride of priests, the victory of rulers, and the Church’s grand dignity. [SD]

For the Dead.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Alas! Such agony afflicts a soul when it is separated from its body. Alas! How it weeps then, but there is no one to have mercy on it. It turns its eyes towards the Angels and prays to no avail. It reaches for other people, but there is no one who can help. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let us realize how short is our life, and let us pray to Christ to grant repose to the departed, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Joseph took You down.

I, the wretch, have wasted all the time * of my life in sins and in vices, O pure one; now I am left * destitute completely of all good and virtuous deeds. * And I see now that death, alas, * is quickly approaching, * and I shudder at the judgment of your Son, our God. * Rescue me from this, holy Virgin, * and before that anguish, O Lady, * save me and return me to the path of life. [SD]

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.

HIERARCH or READER

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.

Aposticha of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Master, by Your own life-bearing death * You destroyed the force and corruption that once belonged to death. * You became the source of everlasting life to all * mortal men, and unto the dead * You gave resurrection. * Therefore, Savior, we entreat You to give rest to all * who with faith have passed away to You; * count them worthy of Your immortal * glory, O benevolent and gracious Lord. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]

Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

You accepted voluntary death * after You endured crucifixion, * O Lord, in order to make * human beings sharers in Your divine kingdom and rule. * Therefore, Savior, we pray to You, * that in Your compassion, * You will make the ones who passed away to You with faith * sharers in Your kingdom, O Master; * count them worthy of Your eternal, * everlasting glory and beatitude. [SD]

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]

Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Wishing to redeem what You had made, * Lord exceeding good, You rejoiced as You executed Your plan * of salvation, which was a profound mystery. * And You offered Your precious Blood * as payment and ransom * for the world. Therefore we entreat You grant to all * who with faith have passed away to You, * that they may enjoy Your sweet beauty, * since You are benevolent, O gracious Lord. [SD]

Verse: And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]

Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Trembling will the dead of every age * stand before Your frightful and awesome throne and tribunal, O Christ, * waiting for Your righteous verdict, O our Savior and God, * and in anticipation of Your just divine judgment. * Then, O Master and our Savior, spare Your servants, we pray, * all those who in faith have departed * to You, O Lord, and count them worthy * of Your everlasting bliss and blessedness. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Let us praise the Mother of the Light * glorifying her, O believers, with our unceasing hymns. * Since she carried our salvation in her womb, let us all * now salute her and say, “Rejoice, * for you only gave birth * to the pre-eternal God, who is more ancient than all. * Unwed and immaculate Virgin, * rejoice, holy Mother of Christ God * Who refashioned our ancestral mother Eve. [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.

Apolytikion for the Day.

For the Saints.

From Horologion - - -

Mode 2.

O Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics and the Righteous, you finished the race and kept the faith. You speak freely to the Savior. We pray you entreat Him on our behalf, to save our souls, since He is good. [SD]

Glory. Another.

From Horologion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Remember Your servants, O Lord, since You are good, and forgive them for all their sins in life; for no one is without sin except for You who are able to give rest to those who have passed away. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2.

Holy Mother of the immaculate Light, we honor you with angelic hymns, and magnify you piously. [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, 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.

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

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

CHOIR: Amen.