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Menaion - December 20

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

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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 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]

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. N/M (The soldiers.)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

He has bowed the heavens and taken up his abode in the Virgin; ⁄ as it is written, He comes to be born in our flesh in the cave of Bethlehem; ⁄ He Who gives life to children in the womb Himself becomes a Child! ⁄⁄ Let us all go forth to meet Him, our hearts filled with fervor and joy! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

He has bowed the heavens and taken up his abode in the Virgin; ⁄ as it is written, He comes to be born in our flesh in the cave of Bethlehem; ⁄ He Who gives life to children in the womb Himself becomes a Child! ⁄⁄ Let us all go forth to meet Him, our hearts filled with fervor and joy! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. N/M (The soldiers.)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Rejoice, Zion! Adorn yourself, O Bethlehem! ⁄ for the Sustainer of all has sent forth a star! ⁄ He has announced His infinite condescension ⁄ before which the hosts of heaven tremble. ⁄⁄ The only Lover of mankind is indeed born without change of the Virgin! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Rejoice, Zion! Adorn yourself, O Bethlehem! ⁄ for the Sustainer of all has sent forth a star! ⁄ He has announced His infinite condescension ⁄ before which the hosts of heaven tremble. ⁄⁄ The only Lover of mankind is indeed born without change of the Virgin! [OCA]

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. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Automelon.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the grotto to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God. [SD]

Oikos.

The sacred words of the Prophets are coming to pass. Behold, a Virgin gives birth to God in the flesh, in the city of Bethlehem, inside the Grotto. All creation be enriched! Rejoice exceedingly and dance for joy! The Master of all has come to live among His servants; and from the devil’s control He is freeing us, who had succumbed to corruption. He is seen as an infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. [GOASD]

Kontakion. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

This resplendent memory of your illustrious contests * announces to everyone the Master born of the Virgin. * Longing to delight in Him, with love you proceeded * eagerly to be by wild beasts killed and eaten. * Therefore, glorious Ignatius, you have been given the tile God-bearer. [GOASD]

Oikos.

Long ago when Abraham was sacrificing his son, he foreshadowed the slaughter of Him who holds all things and who is now hastening to be born in a cave. You, O godly-minded Saint, wholly offered yourself as a sacrificial victim. You became food for wild beasts, and you appeared as pure wheat for your Creator, truly stored forever in the heavenly silos, where you delight in the One you love. Leaving the whole world behind for His sake, all-blessed, glorious Ignatius, you have been given the tile God-bearer. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 20, we commemorate the holy hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Philogonios, a lawyer who became Bishop of Antioch.

The holy Neo-martyr John, who was from the island of Thasos and witnessed in Constantinople in 1652, died by the sword.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 1.

Ὃν φρίττουσιν Ἄγγελοι.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

To Him, the Creator and the Lord, at whom all hosts * and armies of Angels shudder, sing a hymn of praise, * you priests, and you Servants, glorify Him and bless, * 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.

Τὴν ζωοδόχον πηγήν.

A spring, abundantly flowing, that hosted life, * a golden lamp-stand that bore the unwaning Light, * living Temple, and all pure * tabernacle symbolize * the Theotokos, who is said to be wider * than earth and heaven. With hymns let us honor her. [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 3. Our Savior from on high.

Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡμᾶς.

Get ready, O Bethlehem, * and you, O Cave, prepare yourself; * and you, O Manger, receive Him, * our God who is uncircumscribed * and physically now circumscribed. * For He is coming to be born * as He wills in His good pleasure. [GOASD]

For the Saint.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

O St. Ignatius, God-bearer, * you wrote in your epistle, * “I am the wheat of God, my Lord * and Savior. So now let me become the food for the wild beasts. * I must be ground by their teeth, * that I be found the sweet and pure * bread of Christ.” Please remember us who observe * your most splendid memory, as you stand now * near the all-holy Trinity, * wise Hierarch and Martyr. [GOASD]

Another.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

Ignatius, being wounded by the love of God your Lord, you said, * “My love, namely Christ my Savior, * has been crucified of His own will. * I thirst now to be thirsted for; alive, I love to be loved by Him. * I wish to be imitating * His passion and long to join Him * in His everlasting kingdom.” [GOASD]

For the Forefeast.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

Come, all you faithful, let us now with faith anticipating sing * the pre-festal hymns of Christmas. * For Christ our Savior is coming * to Bethlehem, where He will be as human from the Virgin born. * He who is pre-eternal God * will be seen to be an infant * in swaddling clothes in a manger. [GOASD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

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.

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.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. Automelon (not metered).

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

Angelic powers, now proceed! ⁄ Go to Bethlehem; ⁄ prepare the manger, ⁄ for the Word comes to be born. ⁄ Wisdom proceeds from the mouth of the most high! ⁄ Receive, O Church of God, the announcement of salvation; ⁄ enter into the joy of the Theotokos! ⁄ Let us sing with gladness, people: ⁄⁄ Blessed is He Who comes: O our God, glory to You! [OCA]

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

Angelic powers, now proceed! ⁄ Go to Bethlehem; ⁄ prepare the manger, ⁄ for the Word comes to be born. ⁄ Wisdom proceeds from the mouth of the most high! ⁄ Receive, O Church of God, the announcement of salvation; ⁄ enter into the joy of the Theotokos! ⁄ Let us sing with gladness, people: ⁄⁄ Blessed is He Who comes: O our God, glory to You! [OCA]

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

Behold, the star arises out of Jacob, ⁄ illumining the cave! ⁄ Come, let us celebrate in anticipation! ⁄ Let us run with the Magi; ⁄ let us assemble with the shepherds; ⁄ let us see God wrapped in swaddling clothes; ⁄ let us behold the Virgin giving milk to the Lord! ⁄ O fearful sight! ⁄⁄ Christ the King of Israel, draws near! [OCA]

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Come, hills, drop down sweetness from on high! ⁄ Behold, God comes from the dark and shady mountain! ⁄ Let the nations submit themselves! ⁄ Rejoice, prophets; leap for joy, O patriarchs; ⁄ dance, families of the nations, ⁄ Christ, the great Ruler, comes to be born; ⁄⁄ the King of heaven appears on earth! [OCA]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

Dare we now rise up from the earth! ⁄ He Who fashioned mortals comes to renew His royal image! ⁄ Rejoice and make merry, you powers on high! ⁄ The light dawns for those who await salvation! ⁄ The middle wall of partition shall be destroyed! ⁄⁄ Christ, the King of Israel, draws near! [OCA]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Enter, believers; run to greet the Creator! ⁄ He comes to earth, dawning from the Virgin. ⁄ Let us be illumined in purity; ⁄ let us shine with the star of righteousness; ⁄ let us make ready with fear and joy, ⁄ that with purified eyes we may see Christ being born: ⁄ He makes us mortals divine; ⁄⁄ He raises us to the heights of godliness. [OCA]

Glory. Same Melody.

For Christ draws near; prepare the way, Bethlehem! ⁄ Now the dawn of salvation rises upon the nations! ⁄ Prepare the manger; assemble the shepherds; ⁄ Summon the Magi from Persia! ⁄ Understand, host of heaven, and cry out: ⁄⁄ Christ the King of Israel, draws near! [OCA]

Both now. Same Melody.

God’s zeal and fire shall consume you as stubble! ⁄ Be astonished and tremble, scribes and rulers! ⁄ Your deceptions shall cease! ⁄ Behold, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ⁄ The Virgin bears the King in her womb! ⁄ She will lay him to rest in the manger: ⁄⁄ The scepter of the princes of Judah shall pass to him! [OCA]

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 Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode 4.

Bethlehem, be vigilant; ⁄ sing aloud, city of Zion; ⁄ desert, blossom in gladness! ⁄ The star advances to be revealed in the city of David; ⁄ Christ is about to be brought forth: ⁄ Cave, receive Him Whom the heavens cannot contain; ⁄ prepare, manger; receive the life of the ages. ⁄ Let us cry out with praise to Him: ⁄ Save us, we beseech You, Jesus our God, ⁄⁄ Who in mercy takes flesh for our sake! [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 4.

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

Christ our God shall be made manifest! ⁄ He will not delay! ⁄ He appears, born of a spotless Virgin. ⁄ He shall be laid in a cave wrapped in swathing bands: ⁄ Manger of senseless beasts: receive Him Whom the heavens cannot contain! ⁄ He releases us from our lack of reason. ⁄ Shine, star and worship, Magi, beholding the fearful wonder; ⁄ celebrate in song, O angels: ⁄ God is coming to earth! ⁄⁄ By a single Word He will dissolve our countless sins! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 4.

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

O Isaiah, dance for joy, and receive the word of God. Prophesy to the Virgin Mary, that she will be the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire and the light of the Godhead. Bethlehem, prepare. Eden, open your gate. Magi, proceed, to see salvation in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The star stood over where He was and revealed Him, the Lord and giver of life, who saves our human race. [SD]

Glory. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Your yearly festival, God-bearer Ignatius, ⁄ has risen like a living pillar and spirit-filled cloud! ⁄ It proclaims the mysteries and mighty deeds ⁄ which you revealed, upholding the faith even to the shedding of your blood! ⁄ Your blessed voice was of eternal memory, saying: ⁄ I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts as the grain of God! ⁄ Therefore, as you imitated the suffering of your Christ, ⁄⁄ pray that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Prepare yourself, O Grotto, for the Ewe is coming, carrying Christ in her womb. O Manger, receive Him who released us earthlings from irrational activity by His word. You shepherds watching by night, witness to the awesome wonder. And you Magi from Persia, offer gold and frankincense and myrrh to the King. For the Lord has appeared from a virgin Mother. And bending over Him, the Mother, as a servant, worshiped Him, and she addressed the Infant in her arms, “How were You sown in me, and how were You implanted in me, O my Redeemer and my God?” [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 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]

(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 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.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Amen.