Books - Sources

Menaion - December 20

Memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer; and Forefeast of the Birth of our Savior

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

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.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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 1.

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.

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

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

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

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Let us celebrate, people, ⁄ the Prefeast of Christ’s Nativity! ⁄ Let us raise our minds on high, ⁄ in Spirit going up to Bethlehem. ⁄ With the eyes of our soul, let us behold the Virgin ⁄ as she hastens to the cave to give birth to the Lord and God of all. ⁄ When Joseph first saw the mighty wonder, ⁄ he thought that he saw only a human Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, ⁄ but from all that came to pass he discovered the Child to be the true God ⁄⁄ Who grants the world great mercy. [OCA]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Let us celebrate, people, ⁄ the Prefeast of Christ’s Nativity! ⁄ Let us raise our minds on high ⁄ in Spirit going up to Bethlehem. ⁄ Let us behold the great mystery in the cavern, ⁄ for Eden is opened once again, ⁄ when God comes forth from a pure Virgin, ⁄ remaining the same perfect God, and perfect Man. ⁄ Therefore, let us cry aloud to Him, ⁄ Holy God, Father without beginning, ⁄ Holy Mighty, incarnate Son, ⁄ Holy Immortal, the Spirit and Comforter, ⁄⁄ Holy Trinity, glory to You! [OCA]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Listen, heaven, and give ear, O earth: ⁄ Behold the Son and Word of the Father ⁄ coming forth to be born of a maiden who has not known man ⁄ at the good pleasure of the Father Who begot Him before all ages. ⁄ He is conceived by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit; ⁄ Bethlehem, make ready; Eden, open your gates, ⁄ for He Who is comes to be that which He was not, ⁄ and He Who formed all creation takes the form of a man, ⁄⁄ granting the world great mercy. [OCA]

For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. When you were called.

Ὁ ἐξ ὑψίστου κληθείς.

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

Blessed Ignatius, correctly called God-bearer, * when the sympathetic Master held you in His arms, * disclosing doctrines of heavenly knowledge and wisdom, * being the Logos incarnate on the earth, * then it was that you received the most effulgent light; * and like a sponge you fully absorbed, as from an ocean, * the divine waters illuminating you. * Later you followed in the steps of Him * who had called You to Him, namely Christ our God. * We entreat you to pray Him * to illumine us and save our souls. [GOASD]

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

Ignatius, wounded by love most pure and perfect, * when the thunderstorm of love exploded in your soul, * igniting you and inciting you, O sacred father, * to go to be with your Lord and Savior Christ, * then it was that you pronounced those memorable words, * “I am the wheat of my Maker God, and it is needful * that I be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, * that I be found to be the purest bread * of the Logos, the Lord, namely Christ my God.” * We entreat you to pray Him * to illumine us and save our souls. [GOASD]

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

Bishop and teacher, inspired by God, you uttered, * “My love has been crucified. Permit me to attain * to Jesus Christ and to imitate His holy passion”; * for you desired to be crucified with Him. * Then God deemed you worthy to be sent for from the east * unto the west, and much like the sun, along your journey, * blessed Ignatius, you radiated light. * And you were decorated with the crown * of the kingdom God and were brought to Christ. * We entreat you to pray Him * to illumine us and save our souls. [GOASD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

By embracing Christ as your love, you received a reward, ⁄ God-bearer Ignatius. ⁄ With your blood you sealed the priestly work of the gospel of Christ, ⁄ becoming the wheat of the immortal sower, ⁄ ground by the teeth of wild beasts, ⁄ you offer yourself as a loaf of sweet bread to Christ. ⁄⁄ Blessed passion-bearer, never cease to pray for us! [OCA]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

O Bethlehem, welcome the Mother-city of God. For she is coming to give birth to the never-setting light. Angels in heaven, marvel; people on earth, give glory. Magi from Persia, bring your triply precious gift. Shepherds in the field, sing the Thrice-holy hymn. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord who does all things. [SD]

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.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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.

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode 2.

Bethlehem, land of Judah, ⁄ prepare the divine cavern ⁄ as a dwelling for God to be born in the flesh ⁄ from a Virgin who knew not a man ⁄⁄ to save the human race. [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 2.

Verse: God will come from Teman, the Holy One from the mount of shaded leafy trees. [SAAS]

Come, all you faithful, ⁄ begin the celebration: ⁄ Sing with the Magi and shepherds: ⁄ Salvation comes from the Virgin’s womb, ⁄⁄ recalling the faithful to life! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 2.

Verse: Lord, I have heard Your report and was afraid; I considered Your works and was greatly astonished. [SAAS]

O House of Ephratha, * the city that is holy, * the glory of the Prophets, * prepare your house, for therein * the Virgin will give birth to God. [SD]

Glory. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Blessed Ignatius, ⁄ your soul was strong and hard as a stone! ⁄ You cried to your beloved Christ in great longing: ⁄ It is not a material fire burning within me, ⁄ but the voice of the living water dwelling within my heart, ⁄ continually crying, come to the Father. ⁄ Therefore in your desire to be with Christ, ⁄ inflamed with the Holy Spirit, ⁄ you urged the beasts to speedily take you from this world. ⁄⁄ Never cease to pray for the salvation of our souls! [OCA]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Behold, the time of our salvation is at hand. Prepare yourself, O Grotto; the Virgin is close to giving birth. Bethlehem, land of Judah, rejoice and be glad, for our Lord has risen from you. Listen, O mountains and hills, and the region around Judea, for Christ is coming to save man whom He created, in His love for humanity. [SD]

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]

From Menaion - - -

Three-ode Canon of the Forefeast

CHOIR

Ode i.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

Let us sing to the Lord, who dried up the impassable * surging waters of the Sea by His divine command, * and who also led the way * for the chosen people of Israel to cross on foot. * Come let us sing to Him, for He is greatly glorified. (2) [SD]

Glory.

The ineffable descent of the Word of God ⁄ reveals Him as the Christ, both God and Man. ⁄ He comes forth from a pure maiden, ⁄ assuming the form of a servant, ⁄ for He thought it not robbery to be called God. [OCA]

Both now.

Christ comes willingly to serve us; ⁄ the Creator puts on the form of a creature. ⁄ He who is rich in divine mercy ⁄ bestows upon needy Adam a new creation and birth. [OCA]

From Menaion - - -

Ode viii.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

Fed with unending fuel, the fire * that wearied not shuddered at the spotless bodies, * adorned as were the souls, * of the pious Servants and yielded to them. * When the ever-living flame had shrunken away, * they sang the hymn that henceforth was immortalized: * O bless the Lord, all you His works, and sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. (2) [SD]

Glory.

If you keep My commandments, you are My brothers, said Christ; ⁄ He proceeds from the womb of the Pure One giving peace to all. ⁄ He appears in humility, teaching all to recognize Him as Lord, ⁄ blessing Him throughout all ages. [OCA]

Both now.

Word, made flesh contrary to Your nature, ⁄ Your holy Mother provides a body for You, ⁄ not by the will of flesh and blood, ⁄ but by the coming of the Holy Spirit ⁄ and the overshadowing of the Most High. ⁄ Knowing this, we praise You, O Lord, ⁄ blessing You throughout all ages. [OCA]

From Menaion - - -

Ode ix.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

You have magnified, O Christ, * the Theotokos who bore You. * From her You donned a body * susceptible to passion like ours, O Maker; * it delivers us from the ignorance of our offenses. * All our generations call her blessed, and we magnify You. (2) [SD]

Glory.

Let us reject the corruption of the passions, ⁄ awaiting the visitation of Christ. ⁄ Let us come to our senses and receive knowledge: ⁄ the gift of the undefiled Lord who comes to be clothed in our flesh, ⁄ refashioning us in Godliness. [OCA]

Both now.

Beholding Christ, let us be exalted through humility; ⁄ let us abandon earthly passions with zeal for good; ⁄ let us learn through faith not to be proud of heart; ⁄ let us humiliate ourselves in Spirit, ⁄ that by good deeds we may exalt Him who comes to be born. [OCA]

Heirmos.

You have magnified, O Christ, * the Theotokos who bore You. * From her You donned a body * susceptible to passion like ours, O Maker; * it delivers us from the ignorance of our offenses. * All our generations call her blessed, and we magnify You. [SD]

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.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

O Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. * And be ready, Ephrata, for the Tree of life * has in the grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. * Indeed her womb is shown to be spiritually * a Paradise, in which is found the God-planted Tree. * And if we eat from it we shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old. * Christ is born, so that He might raise up * the formerly fallen image. [SD]

Glory. For the Saint.

Mode 4.

Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Ignatius. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

O Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. * And be ready, Ephrata, for the Tree of life * has in the grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. * Indeed her womb is shown to be spiritually * a Paradise, in which is found the God-planted Tree. * And if we eat from it we shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old. * Christ is born, so that He might raise up * the formerly fallen image. [SD]

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, O Christ 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 the holy and glorious hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, whose memory we are observing; 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.