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Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Menaion - November 21

The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos

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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 1 of the Feast.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Establish your servants.

Τοὺς σοὺς ὑμνολόγους.

From Menaion - - -

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

The Temple is now a hall for marriage * a chamber most fitting and most fair * receiving now the Virgin Pure * the living Bridal Chamber of God * the spotless and all blameless one * who shines more brightly than all the world. [RB]

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

King David is leaping now in gladness, * he leads the dance, rejoicing with us all * he calls to you, “My fairest Queen * adorned in many-colored dress! * O all-pure Virgin undefiled * in the Temple before God the King!” [RB]

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

The ancient curse came from Eve descending * upon the human race; and yet from Eve * our restoration to that state * of incorruption flourishes now: * Today God’s Mother is brought forth * into the Temple, the house of God. [RB]

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

The ranks of angels and all mankind ⁄ dance today before your face, all-pure Lady, ⁄ and they go before you bearing lamps, ⁄ proclaiming your greatness in the house of God. [OCA]

Canon 2 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode 1.

Τὸν Προφήτην Ἰωνᾶν.

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

Come, o faithful, let us keep the pure Virgin’s holy feast * spirits lifted high, and singing her praises faithfully, for she truly * is well and truly holier than heav’n’s ranks. [RB]

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

With our voices, let us praise the pure Mother of the Light; * let us sing our odes and hymns for today to us she is made manifest * while ent’ring into the holy Temple of God. [RB]

Glory.

The ewe-lamb without blemish, ⁄ the pure dove is brought as an offering to dwell in the House of God: ⁄ the undefiled Virgin who was fore-ordained to become the Mother of God. [OCA]

Both now.

The Temple of God, ⁄ the heavenly Tabernacle, ⁄ fulfilled her entry into the Temple of the Law, ⁄ and from her the Light has shone on us who are in darkness. [OCA]

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 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.” (3) [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion.

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. [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

For the Feast.

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 Hebrews.

Heb. 9:1 – 7

Brethren, the first tent had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lamp stand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode pl. 4. Psalm 44.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: Listen, O daughter, behold and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father’s house. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: The rich among the people shall entreat your favor.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

For the Feast.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 10:38 – 42; 11:27 – 28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Mode 4.

When they saw the Entry of the Virgin Maiden, the Angels were astonished, at how she entered with glory into the Holy of Holies. [SD]

Now let no uninitiated hand * approach the living Ark of God to touch it. * Rather let believers’ lips sing out in exultation * the Angel’s salutation unceasingly * to the Theotokos and cry out: * You, O pure and virgin Maiden, are truly superior to all. [SD]

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, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, whose Entry into the Temple we celebrate, 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

Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.

It is the Christmas fast.