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Octoechos - Mode pl. 2.

On Tuesday Morning

Menaion - December 3

Memory of the Holy Prophet Zephaniah

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 2.

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 Prophet.

Mode 2.

As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Zephaniah, through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2.

We have become partakers of divine nature through you, O ever-virgin Maid, since for us you gave birth unto God become incarnate. Therefore we all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 7. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray 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

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 Octoechos - - -

For compunction.

Mode pl. 2.

I think about that fearful day, and I lament my filthy deeds. How shall I argue in my own defense before the immortal King? How can I face the Judge with confidence, the prodigal that I am? O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, I implore, have mercy on me! [GOASD]

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.

When You sit to pass righteous judgment, in the valley of weeping, in the place You appointed, O merciful Master, please do not make public the sins I committed in private, please do not embarrass me in the presence of the Angels. I beg You, spare me, O God, and have mercy on me! [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You are the good hope.

Ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἀγαθή.

The Son and Logos of God before the ages was begotten * of God the Father without a mother. But in these last times, * when He became incarnate from your virgin blood, * O Theotokos, you bore Him without a man. * Entreat Him to grant to us forgiveness of our sins before the end, O Lady. [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 8. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For compunction.

Mode pl. 2.

Have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us. For with nothing to say in our own defense, we sinners offer this supplication to you our Master. Have mercy on us. [SD]

Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me.

Lord have mercy on us, for in You we trust. Be not enraged with us greatly, nor remember our iniquities. But look upon us now, being compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we Your people, all of us the work of Your hands, and now we have invoked Your name. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 2. Automelon.

You are the good hope of the world, O Virgin Theotokos. * Therefore we beg for only your awe-inspiring protection. * Take pity on a people left with no defense. * Insistently supplicate our merciful God, * O only blessed Lady, to deliver our souls * from all impending danger. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Forerunner.

Mode pl. 2. You are the good hope.

Ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἀγαθή.

O John, you showed the ways of life * to all people, and cried out, * “Prepare the way of the Lord, * in your hearts make His paths straight.” * I beg you to rescue my very sinful soul, * and give compunction to my apathetic mind. * and pray that I be saved from the punishment to come, * O Forerunner of the Savior. [GOASD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 2. When the angelic powers.

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις.

The martyr athletes offered resistance in the ring, * contesting for the faith, and the tyrants tortured them. * The hosts of Incorporeals observed and were holding the victory medals. * The truly wise contestants amazed the tyrants and kings. * They overturned the devil by their confession of Christ. * O Lord, who strengthened them, glory to You. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You are the good hope.

Ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἀγαθή.

O Theotokos, my offenses are indeed very many. * To you I run, O Maiden pure, and I pray for salvation. * Visit my infirm and ailing soul, * and pray for me to your Son and our God, * to grant to me forgiveness for the evils I have done, O only blessed Lady. [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 3, we commemorate the holy Prophet Zephaniah.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Theodore, Archbishop of Alexandria.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodoulos the Eparch.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father John the Hesychast, Bishop of Cologne.

On this day Saints Agapios, Seleukos, and Mamas died by the sword.

Our devout father Theodoulos the Cypriot, the fool for Christ, died in peace.

We also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Gabriel, formerly Bishop of Ganos, and then of Constantinople, who was martyred in Prousa in the year 1659.

Holy Neo-Martyr Angeles, who competed in Chios in the year 1813, died by the sword.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 2.

Ἐκ φλογὸς τοῖς Ὁσίοις.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

From the flame You refreshed pious Servants as with dew * and with water consumed the righteous Prophet’s sacrifice. * You accomplish all, O Christ, simply by willing it. * We exalt You 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 pl. 2.

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 pl. 2.

Θεὸν ἀνθρώποις.

It is impossible for God to be seen * by people; and angelic orders dare not to look at Him. * But the Word incarnate has been seen by mankind, through you, O all-pure Virgin. * Now magnifying Him, * joining the celestial hosts, all generations call you blest. [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 of the Day. For the Forerunner.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

St. John the famous Forerunner * and baptizer of the Savior, * the Prophet born of a Prophet * and the son of Elizabeth, * was nurtured in the wilderness. * Come all and let us extol him. [SD]

For the Prophet.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

All-wise one, standing in the heights * with the bodiless orders * now near the unapproachable * Trinity, and illumined by divine flashes directly, * will you, by interceding, * dispense noetic light to us, * who with longing observe the august and bright * feast day in your honor and celebrate it, * blessed Saint, crowning you with hymns, * O Prophet Zephaniah. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

He who is glorified above * as one divine by Angels, * dwelt among those on earth below, * ineffably departing not from the Father’s bosom. * You, immaculate Lady, * have become the guardian, * host of this great salvation; from your pure blood, * you lent Him your flesh beyond comprehension. * Ask Him, O pure one, that He grant * remission of sins to your servants. [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 of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 2.

O Savior, heal the wounds of my heart, which have grown in me because of many sins, O physician of souls and bodies. As You ever grant forgiveness of offenses to those who ask, grant me tears of repentance, and give me the remission of my debts, O Lord, and have mercy on me. [SD]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

The enemy found me naked of any virtues, so he shot me with the arrow of sin. But I pray You, the physician of souls and bodies, heal the wounds of my soul, and have mercy on me, O God. [SD]

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

O Lord, if we did not have Your Saints as intercessors, and Your benevolence being compassionate towards us, how would we dare to extol You, O Savior, whom the Angels bless unceasingly? O Master who know our hearts, we pray You to spare our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

No one who runs to you for help comes back from you ever frustrated in his cause, O Virgin Theotokos. But he asks for the favor and receives the bestowal which is appropriate for his request. [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 Prophet.

Mode 2.

As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Zephaniah, through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2.

We magnify you, O Theotokos, and we cry out: Rejoice! You are the gate that was shut; and through you Paradise of long ago was opened to humanity. [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.