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Menaion - January 3

Forefeast of Epiphany; and Memory of the Holy Prophet Malachi, and the Holy Martyr Gordios.

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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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

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. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

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. [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 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Uncircumscribed is He in His divinity, * yet circumscribed in His corporeality; * and He is coming to be baptized in the River Jordan. * Come, let us receive the Lord with contemplative purity, * for He wishes to effect the renewal of everyone. * To Him let us with fear therefore cry out, * “Glory to Your epiphany, O Christ!” [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

At Your epiphany at River Jordan, O Lord, * when You were physically baptized therein by John, * the hosts of Angels were amazed, O Master of all creation, * seeing You, O Savior, stand near Your servant and speak to Him. * And the unoriginate heavenly Father bore witness to You. * And therefore with great joy we cry out to You: * Glory to Your epiphany, O Christ! [GOASD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As the Father and Spirit are one in dignity, * so the Word, now incarnate and baptized for our sake. * As the hosts of Angels witnessed this, they trembled in awe. * When the Jordan River sensed its Creator enter it, * with fear and reverence it turned back, * and to heights of salvation * lifted us who fell into passions of old. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As the Father and Spirit are unoriginate, * so the Word, who with mercy assumed our human form. * He is going to the Jordan to be baptized for us. * Let us welcome Him with joy, having purified our thoughts, * and let us say, “Christ our Savior * and Benefactor, You are blessed, * for You have come to sanctify us!” [GOASD]

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 Prophet.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

As a Prophet naturally * filled with divine and transcendent * wisdom, O great Malachi, * throughout the ages you show all * that the One who is the wisdom of God in heaven * has come down to earth and He dwelt among us. * For this reason we the faithful * observe and honor your sacred memory. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. The Theotokos is undying.

Let us extol the invincible soldier Martyr, * who wears a crown for not succumbing to the tortures. * Come all believers and praise St. Gordios. * Like a great luminary * from the East he as brightly shone, * the heavenly ornament of the Martyrs of Christ. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 3 we commemorate the holy Prophet Malachi.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Gordios.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Peter the worker of signs and wonders, who is buried at St. Zacharias in Atroa.

On this day the holy martyrs, a mother and two children, died by fire.

By the intercession of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Οἱ θεοῤῥήμονες Παῖδες.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Those Servants, speaking from God, in the furnace trampled * the fire and also the error * and the deception and they sang, “All you works of the Lord, praise and bless 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 pl. 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 pl. 4.

Τὸν προδηλωθέντα.

Let us sing to Him who to Moses of old prefigured * in the burning bush the childbirth of ever-virgin Mary, * for the salvation of us the believers. * Let us magnify Him with unceasing hymns. [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. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

This is the day that saw of old * the contest of St. Gordios, * the soldier and godly-minded, * all-glorious, holy Martyr. * He struggled for the sake of Christ. * O fans of Martyrs, let us keep * his memory now with splendor. * Let us be enthusiastic * for reproducing his virtues. [SD]

For the Forefeast.

Having seen in Bethlehem the amazing new wonder, * with soulful ardor let us now go to the Jordan River, * and there we shall be witnesses of the awesome mystery; * for with godly dignity, my Christ has stripped himself for me, * and He has clothed me in the robe of the heavenly Kingdom. [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

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. O angelic powers.

Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.

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

Heaven is the throne that He sits upon as Master. * He came down to earth now incarnate of the Virgin. * And at the Jordan River, He requests of the Baptist John * all humanity’s purification. * Let us the tribes and all the families of earth sing to Him, * “Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!” [GOASD]

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

Christ has now arrived at the waters of the Jordan. * He who washes sins is requesting to be baptized. * Let all the earth rejoice now with the heavens exultantly. * Celebrate, O Church of the Gentiles, * for to the King you have been wedded, and faithfully sing, * “Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!” [GOASD]

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

Mountains, drip your sweet wine of joy, and you, O Nations, * clap your hands, and mystically blossom, O you desert, * as holy Prophets uttered. River Jordan, now welcome Christ. * Baptist, come and joyfully assist with * the sacrament of the Redeemer. Let all people sing, * “Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!” [GOASD]

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

Light from Light, He shone forth before all time and ages. * He appeared to those sitting in the night and shadow, * and He has purged the darkness of our sins and has made us clean. * Adam, dance for joy, and Eve, be happy. * For Christ has come for your redemption. O David, shout, * “Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!” [GOASD]

Glory. O angelic powers.

Jacob’s Star has shone on the world with divine splendor, * taking on himself all the flaming sin of mankind; * and in the Jordan River He has mystically buried it. * Shining with the radiance of Godhead, * He gives the light of godly knowledge to Nations all. * “Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!” [GOASD]

Both now. O angelic powers.

Coming in the flesh, Christ fulfilled the Law’s commandments. * Wishing to begin to accomplish our salvation, * He comes now to the Jordan. The compassionate Lord of all, * bows His holy head before the Baptist, * who cries out as a faithful servant, “All people, sing: * ‘Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God!’” [GOASD]

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. O House of Ephratha.

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

Let us from Bethlehem * go to the River Jordan, * for the illumination. * On those who lay in darkness the true light has begun to shine. [GOASD]

Verse: Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan and Hermon. [SAAS]

Hear, land of Zebulun, * and you across the Jordan, * listen, for our salvation * is coming, Jesus Christ, who is light and who redeems the world. [GOASD]

Verse: The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and were afraid. [SAAS]

Make ready and prepare * your stream, O Jordan River, * for the One who baptizes with fire is at hand to repair His damaged masterpiece. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Same Melody.

Now in the Jordan’s streams * has Jesus, the reflection * of God the Father’s glory, * appeared to cleanse our souls of impurity through baptism. [GOASD]

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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

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. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

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. [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.