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Menaion - January 14

Leave-taking of the Feast of Epiphany

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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! (3) [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 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

At Your epiphany at River Jordan, O Christ, * when by the Forerunner, O Savior, You were baptized, * the voice from heaven testified that You are the beloved Son. * Therefore You were shown to be * with the Father beginningless, * and the Holy Spirit came down * as a dove and alighted on You. * In Him we are illumined and cry out, * Glory to God in Trinity. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

At Your epiphany at River Jordan, O Christ, * when by the Forerunner, O Savior, You were baptized, * the voice from heaven testified that You are the beloved Son. * Therefore You were shown to be * with the Father beginningless, * and the Holy Spirit came down * as a dove and alighted on You. * In Him we are illumined and cry out, * Glory to God in Trinity. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Jordan River, tell us do: * What did you see and were amazed? * I saw naked Him whom none * can see, and shuddered in fear. * And how was I not to shudder at Him and be frightened? * The Angels, when they saw Him also shuddered in awe. * And heaven was astonished, and astounded was earth. * The sea recoiled along with all things * both visible and invisible. * For Christ appeared in the River Jordan, * to sanctify the waters. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Jordan River, tell us do: * What did you see and were amazed? * I saw naked Him whom none * can see, and shuddered in fear. * And how was I not to shudder at Him and be frightened? * The Angels, when they saw Him also shuddered in awe. * And heaven was astonished, and astounded was earth. * The sea recoiled along with all things * both visible and invisible. * For Christ appeared in the River Jordan, * to sanctify the waters. [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]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

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. [GOASD]

Oikos.

On Galilee of the Gentiles, on the region of Zebulon and the land of Nephthalim, as the Prophet declared, a great light has shone, which is the Christ. Dark-dwellers have seen a radiant dawn shining out of Bethlehem, rather out of Mary, as the Lord -- the Sun of Justice -- breaks His rays o’er the whole of civilization. Come then, all unclothed offspring of Adam: let us put on Christ and thus keep warm. For, as a mantle for the denuded and a beacon to the be-darkened, You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable. [GKD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 14 we commemorate the holy fathers who were slaughtered on Mt. Sinai.

On this day we also commemorate the thirty-three holy fathers who were slaughtered at Raithu.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Theodoulos, son of St. Nilos the Sage.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Stephan, who founded the Monastery of Chenolakkos.

On this day the holy martyr Agnes died in a dark dungeon.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Sava, the first Archbishop of Serbia and founder of the holy monastery of Hilandar on Mt. Athos.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Epiphany I and II

Ode i. Mode 2.

Behold, how the Lord, mighty in battle, * uncovered the bottom of the Red Sea, * and He led His people over it on dry ground, * and in it covered and drowned the enemies, for He is glorified. [GOASD]

Iambic. 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.

In strength giving strength to those who govern us, He is the Lord, * exalting the horn of His anointed. * And He was from the Virgin born; and now He goes to baptism. * O faithful, let us cry aloud and say that there is no one holy like our God, * and no one is righteous except for You, O Lord. [GOASD]

Iambic.

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.

When You thundered on the many waters, * O Father, and to Your Son were bearing witness, * then John, who You said was the voice of one crying * in the wilderness, clearly heard Your voice. * Being filled with the Spirit who was also present, he cried aloud, * “You are the Christ, the wisdom and the power of God.” [GOASD]

Iambic.

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.

It is Jesus, the Author of life, * who has come rescinding the penalty on first-created Adam. * Being God, and having no need to be purified, * He is purified for fallen Adam in the Jordan. * He put to death the enmity, and He grants to us the peace surpassing all understanding. [GOASD]

Iambic.

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.

As he is the voice and the lamp of the divine light, * the morning star before the Sun, the Forerunner John * now in the wilderness cries out to all, “Repent; prepare and cleanse yourselves. * Behold, among us is the Christ, who redeems the world from the pit of death.” [GOASD]

Iambic.

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.

Young and pious men were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. * The Angel of the Lord came down to them and drove out the fiery flame * and moist whistling wind preserved them free of harm. * Being thus refreshed in the flames, they gave glory, singing in gratitude, * “O supremely praised and most exalted Lord and God of our fathers, You are blessed.” [GOASD]

Iambic.

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.

Of old, the furnace in Babylon portended paradoxical mysteries, when dew was exuded; * for the River Jordan would admit the immaterial fire when its Maker, who became incarnate, was baptized in its waters. * All peoples bless Him as Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [GOASD]

Iambic.

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]

From Menaion - - -

Iambic Canon.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ὢ τῶν ὑπὲρ νοῦν.

Today, the Master bows His head beneath the hand of John, the Forerunner and Baptist.

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]

Today, the prophet John is baptizing the Lord in the waters of the Jordan.

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]

Troparia.

Glory.

O my soul, magnify the power of the Godhead that is three hypostases and also undivided.

Everyone knows how what in the bush was to Moses * Revealed is fulfilled now in an extraordinary manner. * Even as the Virgin who carried the fire * And gave birth to the Sun and Benefactor was preserved, * Likewise, the Jordan, when it received Him in its streams. [GOASD]

Both now.

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

Having cleansed human nature in immaculate waters, * You anoint and perfect it by communion with the Spirit, * Master and eternal King, and You translate it * Now to unending life, as You are triumphant, * Subduing the imperious power of darkness. [GOASD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Katavasias

Canon 1. Mode 2.

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]

Iambic.

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 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. (3) [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

Stichera for the Feast.

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 wrapped yourself in the waters of the Jordan, O Savior who puts on light as a garment; and You bowed Your head before the Forerunner, O Lord who measured heaven with the span of Your hand, so as to turn the world back from error and to save our souls. [SD]

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.

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]