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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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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion. 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]

Glory. Both now. 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]

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 Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. The stone had been secured.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

O virgins, sing your praises, and likewise all you mothers; * you priests pronounce our blessings, and you people now glorify * the immaculate Mother of God, because into the Temple of the Law * she was offered as an infant, while she herself * is the Lord’s temple of holiness. * And thus as we joyously observe * this spiritual feast let us cry out: * “Rejoice, holy Virgin, the glory of humanity.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

O virgins, sing your praises, and likewise all you mothers; * you priests pronounce our blessings, and you people now glorify * the immaculate Mother of God, because into the Temple of the Law * she was offered as an infant, while she herself * is the Lord’s temple of holiness. * And thus as we joyously observe * this spiritual feast let us cry out: * “Rejoice, holy Virgin, the glory of humanity.” [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Prophet David, go ahead into the Temple of God, * and joyfully receive therein the virgin Maiden, our Queen, * addressing her in this way: * “Enter the holy Temple of the King, holy Lady; * enter, O Maid whose glory is perceived although hidden. * From you, Christ the Light will gush forth as honey and milk for all.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

O Prophet David, go ahead into the Temple of God, * and joyfully receive therein the virgin Maiden, our Queen, * addressing her in this way: * “Enter the holy Temple of the King, holy Lady; * enter, O Maid whose glory is perceived although hidden. * From you, Christ the Light will gush forth as honey and milk for all.” [SD]

READER

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.

From Menaion - - -

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]

Oikos.

The Maker, Fashioner, and Master of all, seeing fallen the creature whom He had made with His own hands, was moved by ineffable compassion and benevolence that only He has, and He took pity on him; and He was well pleased to raise him by a divine re-fashioning, and by His own self-emptying, since He is by nature good and merciful. So He enlisted Mary, since she was a virgin and pure, to be the agent of the mystery; and from her, He assumed our nature according to His plan. She is the heavenly tabernacle indeed. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 20, we commemorate our devout father Gregory of Decapolis.

On this day, we also commemorate our father among the saints Proklos, Archbishop of Constantinople. He was a student of blessed John Chrysostom and successor to his throne.

On this day also commemorate the contest of the holy martyr Dasios who was in Dorostolos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Nirsa the Bishop, and Joseph his student, and others who died with them in Persia.

The holy martyrs Isakios, John, and Saborios died by stoning.

The holy martyrs Geithazet and another three died when they were pierced by spears.

The holy virgins Thecla, Vaoutha, and Denachis died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Eustathius, Thespesios, and Anatolios.

On this day we also commemorate St. Theoktistos. He was a patrician and a eunuch during the reign of Empress Theodora Augusta.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 1.

Ἐν καμίνῳ Παῖδες.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Three young men of Israel were thrown * into the blazing furnace, * as if they were being smelted. * Shining brighter than pure gold with beauty of piety, * they sang, “Bless the Lord, all you works; to the Lord sing a hymn * and exalt Him beyond measure 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 1.

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 1.

Τύπον τῆς ἁγνῆς.

Burning, yet remaining unconsumed, * the bush revealed a type of your virgin childbirth. * And now we entreat that you extinguish the wild fire * of temptations, for it is engulfing us, * all-holy Theotokos, * and we will magnify you ceaselessly. [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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

O godly-minded Saint, you subordinated * your flesh to your mind, as an ardent ascetic. * Then, when you were elevated, you received * reflections of the light of God, * to praise in heaven the Savior * of all with the holy Angels. [GOASD]

Another.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

You imitated Chrysostom, * in his wisdom and virtue, * and you also acceded to * his see and throne, O Proclus, glorious and godly preacher. * You refuted and toppled * impious Nestor’s heresy, * and proclaimed that the pure Virgin is indeed * literally and truly Theotokos. * Earnestly pray with her to Christ * for your flock and all Christians. [GOASD]

Another.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Prepare the Temple’s entrances * and the Holy of Holies, * O Zacharias, to receive * the all-pure Theotokos; for she herself is the temple * of God’s wisdom and Logos, * she is the highest and sublime * Cherubic throne, And therefore along with us * in anticipation sing to the Virgin, * for Christ the Lord who saves the world * from her became incarnate. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. 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. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

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. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

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

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. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

Come and assemble, O faithful, and let us honor in song * the Maid whose barren mother paradoxically bore her, * the Mother of the Maker, the Bride of God; * and in the temple let us attend * as she goes into the Holies, and let us join * with the virgin girls, our lamps in hand. [SD]

Verse: The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King; her neighbors shall be brought to You. [SAAS]

Gathering various flowers now metaphorically * from the spiritual meadows of the works of the Spirit, * and weaving them together into the wreaths * of our high praises joyously, * let us present them to day as a worthy gift * of the forefeast to the virgin Maid. [SD]

Verse: They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be led into the temple of the King. [SAAS]

Now let the gates of the Temple of God the King and Lord * prepare themselves and open and rejoicingly welcome * the Maiden who beyond understanding is the house of glory, the only one * exalted higher than heaven; and let them sing * and extol the only Savior, Christ. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Let heaven above greatly rejoice today, and let the clouds rain down gladness, because of the very extraordinary great works of our God. For behold, the Maiden, prefigured by the gate that faces east, has been born of a barren and fruitless mother, according to a promise; and she is dedicated to God to be His dwelling, as she is brought to the Temple today as a blameless offering. Let David greatly rejoice, playing his psaltery and singing, “The virgins behind her shall be brought to the King; her neighbors shall be brought.” And she is taken inside the tabernacle of God, to where the mercy seat is, to be raised to become the dwelling of the Son, who was born of the Father without flux before the ages, for the salvation of our souls. [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 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]

Glory. Both now. 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]

(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.