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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Saturday Evening

Menaion - November 17

Memory of St. Gregory Bishop of Neocaesarea

__________

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.

Hide Stichologia

Resurrectional Stichera. Mode 4.

From Octoechos - - -

Sticheron 1.

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

Unceasingly we venerate Your crucifixion that bestowed life, O Christ our God, and glorify Your resurrection on the third day. Thereby You refashioned human nature that was damaged; You also revealed to us the ascent into the heavens, O almighty Lord, singularly good and benevolent. [GOASD]

Sticheron 2.

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

You rescinded the penalty for failure to obey at the tree, when You, O Savior, voluntarily were nailed to the tree of the Cross. As God, You broke the bonds of death, when You descended to the netherworld, O Mighty One. And now we honor Your resurrection from the dead, and we sing in exultation: Glory to You, O almighty Lord! [GOASD]

Sticheron 3.

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

You blasted the gates of Hades, and You toppled the regime of death, by Your death, O Master. You freed the human race from disintegration, for to the world You granted life, freedom from decay, and the great mercy. [GOASD]

Sticheron 4.

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

Everybody, come, let us extol the Savior’s resurrection on the third day, through which we were released from inescapable imprisonment in the netherworld, and we all have received life and freedom from decay; and let us sing to Him, “O uniquely benevolent Lord, You were crucified and buried, and You rose. We pray You save us, by Your resurrection!” [GOASD]

Sticheron 5.

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

Angels and humanity extol Your resurrection on the third day, O Savior, through which the entire earth has been illumined, and we all have been released from enslavement to the foe; and let us sing to Him, “O uniquely benevolent Lord, almighty Savior, the Giver of life, we pray You save us, by Your resurrection!” [GOASD]

Sticheron 6.

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

You crushed the gates of bronze, and You shattered the bars, and then You raised the human race, which had fallen, O Christ God. And so we join our voices and sing to You: Glory to You, O Lord, who arose from the dead! [GOASD]

For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What are we to call you.

Τί ὑμᾶς καλέσωμεν.

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

What shall I now call you, O Gregory? * Man of action, for the passions you subjected to your mind. * A contemplative, for reaping wisdom’s fruit within your soul, * for you were granted vision divinely inspired, * and you were taught the heavenly theology. * You were a most sacred clergyman, * a wonder-worker most wonderful. * So intercede, we entreat you, that our souls be saved. [SD]

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

What shall I now call you, O Gregory? * Man of action, for the passions you subjected to your mind. * A contemplative, for reaping wisdom’s fruit within your soul, * for you were granted vision divinely inspired, * and you were taught the heavenly theology. * You were a most sacred clergyman, * a wonder-worker most wonderful. * So intercede, we entreat you, that our souls be saved. [SD]

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

How shall I address you, O holy man? * Guide of sinners gone astray, and a physician of the sick; * a most generous provider of their needs to those who ask; * of demons, a most efficacious exorcist; * of martyrs, coach and trainer for their martyrdom; * as one who clearly received from God * prophetic gifts, O praiseworthy Saint. * So intercede, we entreat you, that our souls be saved. [SD]

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

Now what shall I call you, O Gregory? * Fierce destroyer of impiety and godless heresy; * right determiner of Orthodoxy, teacher of the world; * a peerless chief and leader of peace in the Church; * unyielding terminator of disputes therein. * Although you dwelt on a mountain far, * you were observing society. * So intercede, we entreat you, that our souls be saved. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

You most wisely embarked upon the depths of knowledge, ⁄ hierarch of Christ! ⁄ You acquired the vision of the Trinity, ⁄ foreseeing steadfastly in the spirit Christ our God! ⁄ You poured forth on us a flood of miracles, ⁄ making solid the watery nature of the sea, ⁄ changing the pagan priest’s dark delusion to belief! ⁄ You persuaded the persecutors truly to believe, ⁄ revealing yourself to them as a pillar of virtue! ⁄ You were called a prophet through your miracles! ⁄ therefore we beseech you, ⁄⁄ ever pray for us to the Savior that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

Both now. Mode 4.

From Octoechos - - -

The First Theotokion of the Mode.

By you, O Lady, the Prophet David became an ancestor of God. Long ago, he sang a Psalm to Him, who would do great things for you: “The Queen stood at Your right hand.” God chose you to be the mother who would engender Life. For it was His good pleasure to become human from you without father, so that He could refashion His image, which had become distorted by the passions, and so that He could find the lost sheep that had gone astray on the mountains, and carry it on His shoulders, and bring it to His Father, and reunite it with the heavenly hosts, as He willed, and so that He could save the world, O Theotokos, since He is Christ, and He has the great and rich mercy. [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.

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.

Resurrectional Aposticha.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

Lord our God, You were lifted on the Cross; * thereby You cancelled the curse incurred by our ancestors. * And then You went down to Hades * and freed the prisoners held there from eternity; * and You gave immortality to mankind, O our Savior. * Now we gratefully praise You and glorify * Your life-giving resurrection, by which You saved us all. [GOASD]

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

Only mighty Lord, You were hung upon the Cross, and You caused all creation to quake. You were laid in the tomb, and You raised those who were dwelling in the tombs. Now we gratefully praise You and glorify Your resurrection on the third day. [GOASD]

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

Lawless people delivered You to Pilate, O Christ, and they condemned You to be crucified, showing their ingratitude toward their benefactor. But You voluntarily submitted to burial, and by Your authority as God You rose on the third day, granting us everlasting life and the great mercy. [GOASD]

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

The women arrived at the tomb, and tearfully they looked for You but did not find You. Lamenting and crying, they said, “Our Savior and King of all, alas! Have You indeed been stolen away? Where is Your life-bearing corpse being held now?” Then the Angel answered them and said, “Do not weep. Go and proclaim that the Lord has risen, granting us exultant joy, as He is exceedingly compassionate.” [GOASD]

Glory. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

The watchfulness of God was given you, wise one, ⁄ as it was to Daniel the prophet: ⁄ For as a dream was revealed to him, ⁄ so the mystery of the faith was disclosed to you! ⁄⁄ Therefore, venerable Father, pray that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 2.

My Creator and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, clothed himself in me and was born from your womb, and He freed Adam from the ancient curse. And now, O all-pure one, we address you as the truly virgin Mother of God, and unceasingly we sing to you the Angel’s salutation: O Lady, Rejoice! You are our defense and protection and salvation of our souls. [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 4.

When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!” [GOASD]

Glory. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

By your accomplishments, you earned the name that you bore, for you were vigilant in prayer and diligent in working miracles. Therefore, holy father Gregory, intercede with Christ our God, that He illumine our souls, lest we fall asleep in sin unto death. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You were born of a Virgin, and You endured crucifixion for us, O good Lord. By Your death You divested death of spoils, and You displayed resurrection, as God. Please do not despise us, the work of Your hand. Demonstrate Your loving kindness, O merciful Master. Defer to Your Mother, the Theotokos, when she intercedes on our behalf, and save us, Your people in despair, O Savior. [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, 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, and our Father among the Saints Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, 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.