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Menaion - January 7

Synaxis in Honor of the Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

When You were baptized in the River Jordan, O Lord, it was revealed that God is worshiped in Trinity. For the voice of the Father, who had begotten You, also bore witness to You, calling You “beloved Son,” and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed that what was said is true. In Your epiphany, O Christ God, You appeared and illumined the world. Glory to You! [GOASD]

Glory. For the Forerunner.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

The memory of the just is observed with hymns of praise; for you suffices the testimony of the Lord, O Forerunner. You have proved to be truly more ven’rable than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the river the One whom they proclaimed. Therefore, when for the truth you had contested, rejoicing, to those in Hades you preached the Gospel, that God was manifested in the flesh, and takes away the sin of the world, and grants to us the great mercy. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

When You were baptized in the River Jordan, O Lord, it was revealed that God is worshiped in Trinity. For the voice of the Father, who had begotten You, also bore witness to You, calling You “beloved Son,” and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed that what was said is true. In Your epiphany, O Christ God, You appeared and illumined the world. Glory to You! [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 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. The stone had been secured.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Jesus, who was born of the holy Virgin Mary, * was being baptized by John in the River Jordan, * the Spirit descended on Him, * appearing in the form of a dove. * And therefore the Prophet cried out and said * together with the Angels: * Glory to Your advent, O Christ; * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

When Jesus, who was born of the holy Virgin Mary, * was being baptized by John in the River Jordan, * the Spirit descended on Him, * appearing in the form of a dove. * And therefore the Prophet cried out and said * together with the Angels: * Glory to Your advent, O Christ; * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!” [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

When he saw You in the streams * of River Jordan * being baptized willingly, * the great Forerunner cried aloud * to You, O Christ, and with gladness said: * You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

When he saw You in the streams * of River Jordan * being baptized willingly, * the great Forerunner cried aloud * to You, O Christ, and with gladness said: * You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable. [SD]

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]

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion of the Feast.

Mode 4. Automelon.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

You revealed yourself today on earth, O Master, * and Your light was stamped on us, who in the knowledge of the truth, * O Lord, extol Your epiphany. * You came; You revealed yourself, O unapproachable Light. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Forerunner.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Jordan, alarmed by your physical presence, in trembling receded. John, performing the spiritual service, in fear retreated. The orders of Angels were astonished, as they saw You in flesh being baptized in the river; and all who sat in darkness were shined on, and extolled You the One who appeared and illumined everything. [GKD]

Oikos.

To Adam who in Eden became blind, the Sun has in Bethlehem appeared, and it opened his eyes after washing them in the waters of the Jordan. To him who was blackened and darkened before, a light has arisen that never goes out. No longer is it night for him, but always day. For his sake the Daybreak has been born. For as it was written, he hid in the cool of the day; but he found the Dawn that raises him up who had fallen at evening. He is rid of the darkness and has reached the Morn, which appeared and illumined everything. [GKD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 7 is the Synaxis in honor of the holy and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. Coinciding with this was the transfer of his all-precious and holy hand to Constantinople.

The holy new Hieromartyr Romanos of Lacedaemonia, from the town of Diminitzi, witnessed in Byzantium in the year 1695 and died by the sword.

We also commemorate the holy Neomartyr Athanasios, who was from Attaleia, but witnessed in Smyrna in the year 1700.

By the intercessions of Your Forerunner, O Christ our God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Epiphany II

Ode i. Mode 2.

The people of Israel walked on the Red Sea, * Once it was rendered again into dry land. * Dark waters, like a liquid tomb, then covered * All the chariots and riders of the Egyptians, * Yielding to the might of the right hand of the Master. [GOASD]

Ode iii.

You who have been delivered from the age-old * Snares of voracious lions whose teeth have been broken, * Greatly rejoice now, O logophiles, and let us open * Our mouths in melodic poems to the Logos * Of God, who delights in the gifts that He gave us. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

Utterly purged by the fire of mystical * Revelations, the Prophet, moved by the Spirit, * Extolled humanity’s regeneration, * Signaling the incarnation of the ineffable Logos, * Praising Him who crushed the power of rulers. [GOASD]

Ode v.

Now that we are washed of the dark and dirty * Enemy’s venom by the Spirit’s cleansing, * Let us take the new unerring path that leads us * Into happiness, which is unattainable except for those whom * God through Christ has reconciled to himself. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

Unto Him, whom He produced from the womb, * Resounded the all-blessed voice of the Father, * Naming Him beloved, “This is My connatural * Son and My reflection, now born of mankind, * Both My living Logos and by providence human. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

The Lord, who impeded the flames of the furnace * Holding the godly Young Men, has completely * Enkindled the dragons’ heads in the Jordan * River and has washed away the stubborn stain of sin * In the water by the dew of the Spirit. [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Overjoyed is creation, for it was liberated. * Those who once lay in darkness now are sons of light. * Rightly is the wretched prince of darkness groaning. * And as for us all, the formerly wretched * Nations, let us earnestly bless Him who caused this. [GOASD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

From Menaion - - -

Ode ix.

Canon 1.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἀπορεῖ πᾶσα γλῶσσα.

O my soul, magnify the woman, who is higher in honor than the armies of heaven.

Mortal tongues are unable to befittingly praise you. * Even celestial minds are dazed extolling you, O Lady Theotokos. * Nonetheless, since you are good, accept our faith and longing. * You know that we revere you with God-inspired love. * You are the protector of Christians, and we magnify you. [GOASD]

Troparia.

O my soul, magnify the Lord who came to the Jordan to be baptized.

As a prophet, O David, be with us in the Spirit. Sing to those who are to be baptized, “Come to God in faith and be enlightened. This poor man — and namely Adam who had fallen — cried, and indeed the Lord heard him. He came and revealed himself, and in the Jordan’s waters renewed injured humanity. [GOASD]

O my soul, magnify the Lord, who from the Forerunner accepted to be baptized.

Now Isaiah is saying, “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; and put away the evils from your souls before the Lord’s eyes. Let the thirsty go to the living water.” For Christ will sprinkle water, which cleanses and renews, on those who run to Him with faith; and He baptizes them in the Spirit, for everlasting life. [GOASD]

O my soul, magnify the Son, to whom the Father’s voice bore witness.

So, by grace and the seal let us preserve ourselves, O faithful. The Hebrews long ago escaped destruction, when the blood was on the lintel. Now for us this sacred laver of regeneration will be a passing over and exodus to life, where we shall see the never-setting light of the Trinity. [GOASD]

For the Forerunner.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Lady, from your virginal belly.

Ἡ τὸν πρὸ ἡλίου φωστῆρα.

Baptist of Christ, intercede for us.

Coming from the desert, the Forerunner’s voice to all points out the Word who for our sake has visited us bodily; full of joy he prepares himself to baptize Him who has arrived, the One who purifies our souls from the ancestral sin through faith in Him. [SD]

Baptist of Christ, intercede for us.

Grace and Law do clearly promote you, holy John, as intermediate, in that you seal the Law and inaugurate Grace; and the Word honored you himself above the other Prophets all. You now surpass things visible, all-venerable Forerunner. [SD]

Glory.

He who demonstrated a life that emulates the incorporeal rejoices now together with angelic hosts; he is full of exultant joy as he stands beside the Master’s throne; forgiveness and salvation he requests for us and all who sing his praise. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Exceeding compassion, the Savior and Redeemer of the universe becomes a man and accepts to be born in the flesh. Benevolent is He by nature; He benefits humanity. He came forth from your virgin womb, all-blessed Maiden who gave birth to God. [SD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 2.

O my soul, magnify her, through whom we were freed from the curse and condemnation.

No one can comprehend the wonders of your childbirth. * Granted comprehensive salvation through you, O Lady, * Ever-virgin Bride and blessed Mother, * To you we bring a gift, striking up this worthy * Hymn of gratitude towards you, our Benefactress. [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 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Master once referred to you * as Prophet and superior * to all the Prophets and greater * than all who were born to women; * for all the Prophets and the Law * announced the coming of the Christ, * but you have seen Him in the flesh, * and more than all you were honored * when you, O Saint John, baptized Him. [SD]

For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Automelon.

Ἐπεφάνη ὁ Σωτήρ.

Our Savior, grace and truth, * appeared in His Epiphany * in the streams of the Jordan; * and those who lay once in the dark * and shadow He illumined now. * He has come and appeared, * the Light unapproachable. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 1.

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

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Light from Light, Christ our God, has shone upon the world. He is God and He appeared to us. O peoples, let us worship Him. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Light from Light, Christ our God, has shone upon the world. He is God and He appeared to us. O peoples, let us worship Him. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

How shall we servants worthily honor You the Master, O Christ, for renewing us all in the waters? [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

When You our Savior were baptized in the River Jordan, You sanctified the waters, You were touched by the hand of Your servant, and You cured the world’s passions. Great is the mystery of Your economy! O benevolent Lord, glory to You! [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

The true Light has appeared and bestows illumination on all. Christ is baptized with us, even though He is above all purity; and thus He infuses sanctification into the water, which then becomes the purifying agent of our souls. What is seen belongs to earth; but what is understood transcends the heavens. By means of a bath comes salvation; by means of water comes the Spirit; by means of immersion does our ascent to God come to pass. How wonderful are Your works, O Lord! Glory to You! [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

He who wraps heaven in clouds wraps himself today in the streams of the Jordan. He who takes away the sin of the world washes himself in a wash that is meant for me. The cognate Spirit from above testifies of Him, that He is the Most High Father’s Only-begotten Son. To Him let us cry aloud, “O Christ our God who appeared to us and saved us, glory to You!” [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

You emerged from a barren woman’s labor as an Angel, O Baptist, and you dwelt in the wilderness from the time you were in swaddling clothes. You were shown to be the seal of the Prophets all; for you were counted worthy to baptize in the Jordan Him whom they beheld in various ways and proclaimed enigmatically. You heard the Father’s voice from heaven bearing witness to His Sonship. And you saw the Spirit in the form of a dove showing that the voice was directed towards the One being baptized. And you, who are superior to all the Prophets, never cease interceding on our behalf, as we loyally observe your memorial. [GKD]

The [second] choir sings the following Idiomelon, up to the asterisk; then the first choir begins the Great Doxology, starting with the last verse of the Idiomelon: “Glory be to God…”

Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Today Christ came to be baptized in the Jordan. Today John touches the head of the Master. The hosts of heaven were astounded seeing the paradoxal mystery. The sea beheld it and fled; when the Jordan saw, it retreated. And we who are now illumined cry aloud, * “Glory be to God who appeared, and who was seen on earth, and who illumined the world.” [SD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. 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.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

When You were baptized in the River Jordan, O Lord, it was revealed that God is worshiped in Trinity. For the voice of the Father, who had begotten You, also bore witness to You, calling You “beloved Son,” and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed that what was said is true. In Your epiphany, O Christ God, You appeared and illumined the world. Glory to You! [GOASD]