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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Thursday Morning

Menaion - January 16

Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Apostle Peter

__________

MATINS

Matins Ordinary

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

READER: Amen.

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.

READER: Amen.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O awesome and unshamable Protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

PRIEST

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Again we pray for our Archbishop Elpidophoros.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Glory to the holy and consubstantial and life-creating and undivided Trinity always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. (2)

Psalm 102 (103).

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards: who is merciful to all your transgressions, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from corruption, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things; and your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord shows mercies and judgment to all who are wronged. He made known His ways to Moses, the things He willed to the sons of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not become angry to the end, nor will He be wrathful forever; He did not deal with us according to our sins, nor reward us according to our transgressions; for according to the height of heaven from earth, so the Lord reigns in mercy over those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so He removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows how He formed us; He remembers we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourishes; for the wind passes through it, and it shall not remain; and it shall no longer know its place. But the mercy of the Lord is from age to age upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness upon children’s children, to such as keep His covenant and remember His commandments, to do them. The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word, so as to hear the voice of His words. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, His ministers who do His will; bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul. [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.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

(intoned)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE LITANY OF PEACE

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

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 Elpidophoros, 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 this sacred school, its president, deans, faculty, staff, and students; the trustees, benefactors, and alumni, 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.

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.

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.

Without leaving Rome, you came to us, through the precious Chains that you wore, O President of the Apostles. As we venerate them in faith, we pray to you: By your intercessions with God, grant to us the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

We have come to know that the Word of the Father, Christ our God, became incarnate from you, O Virgin Theotokos, only pure, only blessed. Therefore we never cease to extol and magnify you. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 2. N/M (The Theotokos is undying.)

Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις.

Let us extol Peter, the first among Apostles, great and preeminent, that inspired spokesman of the truth, and in faith let us venerate his Chain, as we receive forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Oikos.

What tongue can worthily extol St. Peter, that renowned and great Disciple of the Lord? Which mind can rightly praise that man, whom God the Logos called blessed? And yet, since one should offer to Christ whatever ability he has, I will attempt to do this. Come, O fans of feast-days, let us piously crown the preeminent Apostle with songs, as we receive forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 16 is the veneration of the holy Chains of the holy and glorious Apostle Peter.

On this day we commemorate the holy martyrs and brothers Pefsippos, Elasippos, and Mesippos, and Neonilla their mother.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Danax the reader.

The holy New Hieromartyr Damaskinos, who witnessed in Gambrovo, Turnovo in the year 1771, died by hanging.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Λυτρωτὰ τοῦ παντός.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

O almighty Redeemer of all the world, * You came down in the midst of the furnace fire, * and You bedewed those pious men, * and You taught them to sing praise, * “O all you works, to the Lord sing * a hymn as you bless the Lord.” [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

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ὁ τόκος σου ἄφθορος.

Your childbirth occurred without corruption. * It was God, wearing flesh, who came forth from your all-holy womb. * He was seen upon the earth and lived among men, O Theotokos; * therefore we all magnify you. [GOASD]

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 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.

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Father, and not flesh and blood, * inspired your theology, * O Peter, that Christ is the Son * of the living God and Father. * And therefore He attested to * your blessedness because of this, * and He has called you by the name * Peter as the unbroken rock * and the Church’s foundation. [SD]

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.

CHOIR

Aposticha. For the Apostle.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

O paramount Apostle of Christ, * we honor all the work you did * to spread the Gospel, * and we faithfully revere * your Chains; and in so doing * we worship the Life-Giver, * our Lord, the Benefactor of our souls. [SD]

Verse: His proclamation went forth into all the earth, and his words to the ends of the world. [SAAS]

O Peter, you are praised by all. * You used your preaching like a hook * to pull people * from the sea of godlessness; * do likewise by your prayers * pull us, who now extol you, * from our depression, O Apostle of Christ. [SD]

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows the creation of His hands. [SAAS]

O Peter, you are praised by all. * since you have access, with your prayers * as divine keys, * open up the pearly gates * for us who glorify you * the paramount Apostle, * that we may enter heaven readily. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

By his three-fold question: Peter, do you love me? ⁄ Christ set aside your three-fold denial. ⁄ Then Simon said to Him who knows the secrets of men: ⁄ Lord, You know all things; ⁄ You know that I love You! ⁄ Then the Savior said to him: ⁄ Feed my sheep; feed my chosen ones; ⁄ feed my lambs which I have gained for salvation by My Own blood! ⁄ Ever entreat Him, divinely blessed Apostle, ⁄⁄ that He may grant us great mercy! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

O all-pure one, since you possess * intercession that never sleeps * and persistent prayer and entreaty to the Lord, * I pray you quiet temptations all, * and calm the unruly waves * surging in my sorry soul. * When my heart is in turbulence, * gently comfort it. * Fill my mind with divine grace, I implore you, so that I may glorify you, * Virgin immaculate, worthily. [SD]

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.

Without leaving Rome, you came to us, through the precious Chains that you wore, O President of the Apostles. As we venerate them in faith, we pray to you: By your intercessions with God, grant to us the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

We are unequipped to praise you worthily, O Theotokos, for you are the highest of all things created. Therefore, we entreat you: As a gift to us, have mercy on us. [SD]

The Readings

The Epistle

For the Apostle.

PRIEST: Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4. Psalm 18.

His proclamation went forth into all the earth. [SAAS]

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God. [SAAS]

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

PRIEST: Let us be attentive.

READER

Acts 12:1 – 11

About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

For the Apostle.

PRIEST

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Jn. 21:14 – 25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

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 School, and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

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, the holy and glorious all-lauded Apostle Peter, the veneration of whose precious Chains we celebrate, 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.