Books - Sources |
Menaion - January 2 |
Forefeast of Epiphany, and Memory of our Father among the Saints Silvester, Pope of Rome. |
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VESPERS |
PRIEST |
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. |
CHOIR: Amen. |
Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm. |
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. |
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 4. |
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 |
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Stichera. For the Forefeast. |
From Menaion - - - |
Mode 4. To a brave one. |
Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι. |
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS] |
In preparing to celebrate the illustrious baptism * of our God and Lord, let us sing forefestal hymns. * For now, incarnate, He makes His way as man to His Forerunner, * the all-holy Baptist John, * to request He receive from him saving baptism, * so that all who believe may be illumined and receive the Holy Spirit * and be reborn sacramentally. [GOASD] |
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS] |
Long ago, Prophet David said that our God will come openly * and reveal himself. And now Christ is publicly * showing himself to the world, as He approaches His servant John, * seeking baptism from him. * River Jordan, be filled with joy. Also earth and sea * and the hills and the mountains, skip and tremble. And the hearts of all believers, * exult, receiving the noetic light. [GOASD] |
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS] |
O almighty One, You are known as the river of peace and as * the abundant water of heavenly delight. * Therefore we marvel how You went down naked into Jordan’s streams, * which accepted You, O Lord, * who have covered heaven with clouds, as the Psalmist said, * and stripped naked the foe of all his evil, and have clothed in incorruption * all those on earth who believe in You. [GOASD] |
Stichera. For the Saint. |
From Menaion - - - |
Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal. |
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου. |
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS] |
Father Silvester the hierarch, * by ordination the light * of the priesthood illumined you, * and with teachings full of light * you illumined the faithful all * to worship one God in three hypostases * and single nature. And thus did you expel * darkness of heresies. * We are therefore filled with sacred joy today * as we gaily celebrate your shining memory. [SD] |
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS] |
Father Silvester the God-bearer, * as bishop you went before * the believers, much like that cloud * and the fiery pillar once * had delivered the Israelites. * You led them out of Egyptian heresies * to the divine land of Orthodox belief, * for you instructed them * every day unerringly. We therefore now * honor your preeminent, all-sacred memory. [SD] |
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS] |
Father Silvester inspired by God, * you surely drowned in the streams * of your strong prayers the multiform * hellish dragon. And the Lord * made you wondrous in miracles. * You brought to God many pagans and Hellenes, * humiliating the impudence of Jews, * when you distinctly worked * many signs and wonders clearly in their sight. * Therefore we all call you blessed and we honor you. [SD] |
Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast. |
From Menaion - - - |
Mode pl. 2. |
Christ, the truth, comes to the Jordan, to be baptized by John, who says to Him, “It is I who need to be baptized by You. And You come to me? I who am grass do not dare to touch You, the fire. Sanctify me, O Lord, in Your divine epiphany.” [GOASD] |
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(No Entrance) |
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Stand for the hymn. |
READER |
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. 1. |
Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. (2) [SAAS] |
Verse: O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. |
Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. |
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. |
Aposticha of the Forefeast. |
From Menaion - - - |
Idiomelon 1. Mode 1. |
The feast, which passed, is radiant, ⁄ but the one to come is brighter still! ⁄ There the angel proclaimed glad tidings, ⁄ but here the Forerunner prepares the Savior’s way! ⁄ There blood was spilled, as Bethlehem was made barren, ⁄ but here the life-giving water gives birth to many sons. ⁄ There the star revealed You to the Magi, ⁄ but here the Father proclaims You to the universe. ⁄⁄ Incarnate Lord, coming to be made manifest, glory to You! [OCA] |
Idiomelon 2. Mode 2. |
Verse: Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan and Hermon. [SAAS] |
Again my Jesus is washed in the Jordan! ⁄ Again He cleanses my many sins! ⁄ Truly He comes for Baptism, to wipe out Adam’s transgression. ⁄ He says to John: Come, Baptist; perform the awesome mystery! ⁄ Come, stretch out your hand! ⁄ Touch the Head that crushes the heads of demons. ⁄ I will open the paradise which was closed of old, ⁄⁄ by the deceit of the serpent! [OCA] |
Idiomelon 3. Mode 3. |
Verse: The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and were afraid. [SAAS] |
The feast, which passed, was radiant, ⁄ but the one to come is even more glorious! ⁄ There the Magi worshipped the Savior; ⁄ here the servant baptizes the Master! ⁄ There the shepherds saw the Child and were amazed; ⁄⁄ here the voice of the Father proclaims the only-begotten Son! [OCA] |
Glory. Both now. |
From Menaion - - - |
Mode 3. |
Come, all you faithful! ⁄ Let us leave the land of Judea! ⁄ Instead, let us go to the wilderness of Jordan! ⁄ Let us behold the Baptism of our incarnate Enlightener! ⁄ The Baptist hesitates, crying out with fear: ⁄ I dare not place my hand on Your head, Savior! ⁄ f the sea fled and the Jordan turned back, ⁄ how shall I touch the Fire before which the seraphim tremble? ⁄ The Jordan was parted when Elisha struck it with Elijah’s mantle; ⁄ shall not the waters return to their primal chaos ⁄ when they behold You naked in their courses? ⁄ How shall I not be burned by the all-consuming fire? ⁄ The Jordan herself will forbid me, crying out: ⁄ Baptist, how will you baptize my Lord? ⁄ But the Lord commanded him, saying: ⁄ Hinder not the cleansing of all! ⁄ I shall sanctify all creation with living water; ⁄⁄ for this I am made manifest! [OCA] |
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] |
CHOIR |
Canon for the Forefeast. |
Three-ode Canon. |
Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos. |
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 Creator ⁄ has shone forth from the Virgin: ⁄ Now Christ enlightens the world again! ⁄ He hastens to fulfill the mystery, ⁄ drawing near the Jordan as a mortal man, ⁄ to accomplish a strange regeneration. [OCA] |
Both now. |
The Forerunner advances to the Jordan. ⁄ He obeys the voice of the Word, ⁄ performing a fearful service! ⁄ Christ comes to enrich needy Adam ⁄ with all the riches of the Godhead, ⁄ bestowed by the Holy Spirit through the gift of Baptism. [OCA] |
Ode viii. |
Three-ode Canon. |
Mode 2. Heirmos. |
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 to You, our God, glory to You. |
By this shall I recognize you as my chosen vessels, ⁄ Christ the Word tells those who hesitate to be baptized, ⁄ if you are marked with the seal of my gift, ⁄ if the three-fold Light shines brightly in you, ⁄ for I come, to give you life and freedom, ⁄ a new way of salvation! [OCA] |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
A new order of things comes to pass in You; ⁄ now the usual ways of nature come to an end, ⁄ the Forerunner cried out to the Redeemer. ⁄ Here the lesser is blessed by the purpose of the Greater! ⁄ Therefore, with fear I take Your head in my hands, ⁄ but it is not right that grass should not be consumed by fire, ⁄ but rather, sanctify me, Your servant! [OCA] |
Another Two-ode Canon. |
Mode 2. N/M () |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Let us shed the sleep of laziness from our souls through vigilance of heart. And to Him who comes to wash our souls in the river, let us cry aloud, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD] |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Let us shed the sleep of laziness from our souls through vigilance of heart. And to Him who comes to wash our souls in the river, let us cry aloud, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD] |
Glory. |
Let action abound in us, with exalted contemplation of soul, so that we may shine in both, for Him who washes all. “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.” [GOASD] |
Both now. |
O believers, who have worked twice as hard to embellish our talent with practical reason, let us as servants bring it with faith to the Master, who comes be baptized to refashion our souls. [GOASD] |
Heirmos. |
The three righteous Servants did not obey * the impious decree of the tyrant. * And they were cast into the furnace’s fire, * where they stood confessing God, * and they sang, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.” |
Ode ix. |
Three-ode Canon. |
Mode 2. 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. (2) [SD] |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Let us flee from every impure passion! ⁄ Instead, let us seek wisdom found in divine Baptism ⁄ for the Creator comes to grant a strange cleansing. ⁄ He is washed in the streams to offer a new change for all! [OCA] |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Look into the heart of Christ! ⁄ Understand His voluntary humility. ⁄ He took the form of a servant; ⁄ humble yourselves beneath His mighty hand! ⁄ e was born of a Virgin through the Spirit; ⁄ honor His Baptism with pure deeds! [OCA] |
Another Two-ode Canon. |
Mode 2. N/M () |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Let us cast aside the heavy stain of sin, and let us appear clean to the Master who purifies all in divine waters. [GOASD] |
Glory to You, our God, glory to You. |
Let us cast aside the heavy stain of sin, and let us appear clean to the Master who purifies all in divine waters. [GOASD] |
Glory. |
Having purified ourselves with streams of tears, come, let us now approach Christ, who has come to be baptized in the River Jordan. [GOASD] |
Both now. |
O Savior, we celebrated Your Nativity with the Magi and the Shepherds. Accept us now, as we honor You who come to be baptized. [GOASD] |
Heirmos. |
You have contained within your womb * God whom nothing can contain; * to the joy of the world you have given birth. * We sing praises to you, all-holy Virgin. [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. |
Apolytikion. For the Forefeast. |
From Menaion - - - |
Mode 4. |
O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. (3) [SD] |
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.) |
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, 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. |
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. |
CHOIR: Amen. |