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Menaion - December 21

Memory of the Holy Martyr Julianna

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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 Holy Woman.

Mode 4.

Your maiden Martyr, like a lamb, cries out, “O Jesus, for You, * my pure Bridegroom, I long; and seeking You I compete; * and I am crucified and buried with You in Your baptism. * I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You. * I die for You that I may also live in You. * Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice * as I offer myself to You with love.” * At her entreaties and intercessions, * save our souls, O Merciful Lord. [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 2.

Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ.

The unapproachable God in His tender mercy approaches me; ⁄ He wills to be born in the flesh in the city of Bethlehem. ⁄ He receives human nature from a Virgin maiden. ⁄ Let us eagerly run to greet Him, crying out in fear: ⁄⁄ Glory to You, O Lord! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

The unapproachable God in His tender mercy approaches me; ⁄ He wills to be born in the flesh in the city of Bethlehem. ⁄ He receives human nature from a Virgin maiden. ⁄ Let us eagerly run to greet Him, crying out in fear: ⁄⁄ Glory to You, O Lord! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. N/M (You were so beautiful.)

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

A strange mystery is revealed today: ⁄ In the cave our Savior presses forward to be born in the flesh! ⁄ The Magi are coming with gifts to worship the King; ⁄ the shepherds glorify Him with the angels! ⁄ Together with them let us cry aloud, ⁄⁄ Glory to Him Who for our sake has become a man! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

A strange mystery is revealed today: ⁄ In the cave our Savior presses forward to be born in the flesh! ⁄ The Magi are coming with gifts to worship the King; ⁄ the shepherds glorify Him with the angels! ⁄ Together with them let us cry aloud, ⁄⁄ Glory to Him Who for our sake has become a man! [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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

Τὰ ἄνω ζητῶν.

As we see the Lord, who holds the whole world in His hand, * wrapped in swaddling clothes in the city of Bethlehem, * let us bring our forefestal hymns * to the Ever-Virgin who gave birth to Him. * She rejoices maternally, * as she holds in her embraces the Son of God. [GOASD]

Oikos.

The Virgin held the Son of God in her arms, and she smothered Him with maternal kisses and said, “I conceived without having sex, and I gave birth to You and my body is intact. Even after childbirth, I am a virgin as before. So I adore Your great compassion and the ineffable miracle You have done in me, my Child. Therefore I greatly rejoice, as I hold in my embraces the Son of God.” [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 21 we commemorate the holy Martyr Julianna.

On this day we also commemorate the holy 500 Martyrs who believed through St. Julianna and died by the sword in Nicomedia.

On this day the holy 130 Martyrs died by the sword in Nicomedia.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyr Themistocles.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [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 4.

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 4.

Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

A cornerstone was cut out without hands from a never-quarried mountain, * which prefigured you, holy Virgin. * The stone is Christ, who joined the disparate natures. * As we rejoice because of this, O Theotokos, we magnify you. [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. O my Savior, now I see.

Τὸν νυμφῶνά σου βλέπω.

O Word, Your holy Martyr, * longing for Your bridal chamber, * endured every kind of torture * steadfastly with Your assistance. * At her intercessions, O God, * I entreat You * show tender mercy to my soul. [GOASD]

For the Forefeast.

Mode 3. O my Savior, now I see.

Τὸν νυμφῶνά σου βλέπω.

O Bethlehem, land of Judah, * prepare your portals of entry; * for the Virgin Theotokos * is now arriving at your gates * to give birth within a Cave * to my God and Lord, * who came as a mortal infant. [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.

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

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.

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

Hail the Creator, the Wisdom of God, Who draws near! ⁄ The mist of the prophetic promise is dispersed. ⁄ Joy clears the skies; ⁄ truth shines; the dark shadows are restrained; ⁄ the gate of Eden is opened; ⁄ Adam dances in exultation; ⁄⁄ our Creator and God wills to fashion us anew. [OCA]

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

Indeed, the oracles of all the prophets are fulfilled; ⁄ the Word accepts the frailty of human flesh. ⁄ He is born, and enthroned in the manger of dumb beasts: ⁄ Awesome wonder! Fearful condescension! ⁄⁄ Christ, the King of Israel, draws near. [OCA]

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

Jesus, desiring to cleanse the scarlet of my sins ⁄ and to restore my royal image, ⁄ You took my flesh and were fed at Your mother’s breast; ⁄ You were wrapped in swaddling clothes, ⁄ Who by a nod of your head, control the revolution of the earth! ⁄ I glorify You, O Word, doer of mighty wonders, ⁄ the angel of great counsel of the Father, ⁄⁄ through Whom I have been made divine. [OCA]

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

King of all, without leaving the bosom of the Father, ⁄ You have adorned the mortal human race! ⁄ You are carried in the arms of the Virgin ⁄ by a star you summon the Magi from Persia: ⁄ They come to worship You, gaining Your friendship ⁄ You shall crush the wicked rulers of faithless nations, ⁄⁄ but the sheep of Your pasture You feed with the bread of life. [OCA]

Glory. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Lo, the Word, consubstantial with the Father ⁄ begotten before all ages, ⁄ molds His flesh from the pure blood of the Virgin: ⁄ The infinite God as a man grows in space and time: ⁄ He comes to be born in the cave. ⁄ Beholding the fearful wonder, the angels clap their hands, ⁄ mortals celebrate and sing, ⁄⁄ for Christ, the King of Israel, draws near. [OCA]

Both now. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Marvel that the oracles of the seer Balaam are fulfilled, ⁄ for the Persians marvel at an unfamiliar star ⁄ shining down upon Christ, the never-setting light, ⁄ our compassionate God, Who takes flesh in Bethlehem. ⁄ Beholding its radiance, they run to worship Him, ⁄⁄ foreseeing His voluntary death by their precious gifts. [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 - - -

Mode 2. N/M (O House of Ephratha.)

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

The star shines brightly; ⁄ the cavern is radiant. ⁄ The Magi advance with gifts. ⁄ With the shepherds and the angels, ⁄⁄ they prepare the way of the Lord. [OCA]

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

The prophecy ⁄ of all the prophets is fulfilled: ⁄ Christ is born in Bethlehem, ⁄ paradise is opened ⁄⁄ to those of Adam’s race. [OCA]

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

Come, O Bethlehem, ⁄ anoint the holy manger, ⁄ for the Master comes to you, ⁄ hallowing your wood ⁄⁄ with His own divinity. [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Same Melody.

Come, O mortals, ⁄ let us in unison ⁄ offer unceasing song ⁄ to the Virgin Mary ⁄⁄ from whom Christ is being born. [OCA]

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 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.