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Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Menaion - November 20

The Forefeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple; and Memory of our Devout Father Gregory of Decapolis; and our Father among the Saints Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople.

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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.

Psalm 102.

Psalm 145.

The Beatitudes.

Mode 4.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode iii. Mode 4. N/M (Establish your servants.)

Τοὺς σοὺς ὑμνολόγους.

From Menaion - - -

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]

As the maidens accompany and lead the Virgin, holding their torches, they brightly portray what will eventually follow; for the Light of knowledge will be born of her, and He will dispel the darkness of error. [SD]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]

O all-blameless Virgin, your mother Anna emulates Hannah of the Old Testament, and in a godly manner fulfills her vow; and to the sanctuary she dedicates you, who will conceive and give birth in a most sacred manner. [SD]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]

When the sun saw the cloud of light spreading out in the Holies of Holies at God’s behest, it spread out its rays. From her, He shall shower forgiveness on those who are dried up in sins. [SD]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]

O pure and immaculate Lady, God dwelt in you for His mercy’s sake, and thus He deifies me, and though once I was beguiled with food by the serpent’s deceit, He restores me to incorruptible delight instead of corruption. [SD]

Canon for the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode 4. N/M (O godly-minded believers.)

Τὴν θείαν ταύτην.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]

The divine parents of the Virgin were invigorated by divine grace, and with longing they dedicate her like a spotless dove to be reared in the Temple. [SD]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]

O Maiden, who will receive the Light from Light, modest maidens carry bright lamps before you, and they proceed dancing to the luminous Temple of God. [SD]

Glory.

The Virgin, that palace full of glory, that great echoing of the Prophets, that holy throne, is placed in the Holy of Holies, where she is prepared for the King of all. [SD]

Both now.

O Maiden, I extol your conception, I extol your ineffable birth, I extol your protection, for I am rescued from all harm when I flee to your calm refuge. [SD]

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Today righteous Anna solicits joy for us all, * the opposite of pain and sorrow, having brought forth her fruit, * the only ever-virgin Maid; * and today in fulfillment of her prayer and her promise, * to the Temple of the Lord she joyfully leads her * who is truly the temple and pure * Mother of God the Word. [SD]

For the Saints.

Mode 4.

O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion of the Forefest.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

On this day the whole wide world is filled completely * with great joy and merriment on the occasion of the feast * of the Theotokos and cries aloud: * “She is the heavenly tabernacle indeed.” [SD]

Trisagios Hymn

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.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

The Epistle

Wednesday of the 22nd Week

Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Ode ix.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. [RSV]

Verse: For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [RSV]

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.

Col. 3:17 – 25; 4:1

Brethren, whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode pl. 4. Psalm 131.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: Arise, O Lord, into Your rest, You and the ark of Your holiness. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it, “I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins.”

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

Wednesday of the 10th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 18:15 – 17, 26 – 30

At that time, they were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” His disciples said to him, “Then who can be saved?” And he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Then Peter said, “Lo, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Communion Hymn. Psalm 115.

I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DISMISSAL

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.

Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is the Christmas fast.