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Octoechos - Mode 3.

On Thursday Evening

Menaion - November 15

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Guria, Shamuna and Habib

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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.

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 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.

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

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

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

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

Hide Stichologia

For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

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

Habib, wise in everything, and Shamuna the wonderful, and Guria the glorious * have joined the believers now * in a holy chorus; * and with great rejoicing these blessed medal-winning Saints * attend the feast and they celebrate with us. * For God has granted this unto the souls of Martyrs, that they can see * and perceive with noetic eyes * what goes on here on earth below. [SD]

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

Habib, wise in everything, and Shamuna the wonderful, and Guria the glorious * have joined the believers now * in a holy chorus; * and with great rejoicing these blessed medal-winning Saints * attend the feast and they celebrate with us. * For God has granted this unto the souls of Martyrs, that they can see * and perceive with noetic eyes * what goes on here on earth below. [SD]

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

Being same in number as the Holy Trinity, you endured * the unbearable punishments * and bravely you underwent martyrdom through torture, * blessed saint Shamuna, holy Guria and Habib. * Now you enjoy the eternal joy and bliss, * which Christ is giving you as your reward for suffering as you did. * We entreat you to earnestly * intercede with Him to save our souls. [SD]

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

Being same in number as the Holy Trinity, you endured * the unbearable punishments * and bravely you underwent martyrdom through torture, * blessed saint Shamuna, holy Guria and Habib. * Now you enjoy the eternal joy and bliss, * which Christ is giving you as your reward for suffering as you did. * We entreat you to earnestly * intercede with Him to save our souls. [SD]

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

Confessing that God is one and also Trinity, you brought down * false beliefs of the Ancient Greeks, * and their polytheism, and their foolish wisdom, * by the very thing they considered foolishness, the Cross, * O blessed Martyrs of Christ our Lord and God. * The Cross’s might empowered you, and you were thus able to endure * all the tortures and punishments * with a brave and courageous mind. [SD]

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

Medal-winning Martyrs, now that you have gone over to the calm * port and harbor that has no waves, * life that has no turbulence, * you received a painless * residence in heaven, which is with Christ forevermore, * in recompense for the tortures you endured. * The Master has rewarded you, O blessed Saints, with the true reward * that you worthily have received, and the prizes of victory. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

In Edessa they celebrated, for they had the treasure of the tomb of Saints Guria, Shamuna, and Habib. And even now, the invitation echoes to those who love Christ, “Come, you fans of Martyrs, and get dressed up for this splendid commemoration. Come, you fans of the Church’s feast days, and be illumined. Come see the heavenly luminaries orbiting the earth. Come and hear about the bitter death that these valorous men of steel underwent, for the sake of everlasting life. They served as guarantors of a marriage vow, and they rescued the young woman, when that despicable man broke his vow and locked her up in a tomb; and they handed him over to death, for he was merciless and a murderer.” And now, they earnestly implore the all-holy Trinity, to rescue from injury and temptations and every danger, those who faithfully observe their memory. [SD]

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

As Your Virgin Mother gazed on You * splayed upon the Cross, O Lord Jesus, when You were crucified, * weeping she cried out and said, “O sweetest Child of mine, * unapproachable Light of the beginningless Father, * why have You abandoned me, Your only mother, my Son? * Hurry and be glorified, so that * those who glorify Your all-holy * Passion may be glorified with grace divine.” [SD]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

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.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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.

Aposticha.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

Compared with other amazing wonders the world has seen, * this one of yours, O Martyrs, is indeed more amazing. * You rescued a young lady, deceptively wed * to a man from a foreign land. * When he abused her, she prayed to you, and behold, * ou returned her to her mother’s arms. [GOASD]

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

Divinely blest holy Martyrs, throughout your martyrdom * you eagerly accepted all the enemies’ tortures, * as if a pleasant favor, for you disdained * earthly pleasures and appetites. * Rather preferring the promised divine delights, * you did not succumb to punishments. [GOASD]

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

Come let us all sing in praise of the holy Martyrs of Christ, * the great and brave Guria, and divine St. Shamuna, * and also the illustrious deacon Habib; * and today let us honor them, * the strong defenders of all who in times of need * and temptation pray with faith to them. [GOASD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Come, all you fans of the Martyrs, let us sing hymns in honor of Guria, Habib, and Shamuna, the knights of Christ. They work extraordinary miracles. Famously, they did not overlook the vow of the Goth to care for his young wife when he took her home, for they answered her prayers and rescued her from that criminal and vindicated her against him. We pray You, O Christ our God: By the intercessions of these Saints, save our souls, since You are good and benevolent. [SD]

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

All-pure Lady, as you stood and saw * Him who had created the universe lifted up on the cross * and enduring insults and abuse, you sighed and said, * “O benevolent Lord and God, supremely exalted, * how in wishing to exalt Your creature You now endure * such dishonor done to Your body! * Glory to Your great tender mercy * and Your condescension, my beloved Son!” [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.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

You have given us the miracles of Your holy Martyrs as an impregnable fortress, O Christ our God. At their entreaties, frustrate the plots of foreign enemies, and strengthen our nation, for You alone are good and benevolent. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

By the Cross of your Son, holy Virgin full of grace, * the deceit of the idols has all come to an end, * and the power of the demons has been trampled down. * We the faithful now in gratitude ever sing your praise and call you blessed, O Lady. * We magnify you, confessing that you are truly the Mother of God. [GOASD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

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, 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, the holy and glorious Martyrs and Confessors Guria, Shamuna and Habib, whose memory we are observing, 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.