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Triodion

Mode pl. 1. On Friday Morning

On Friday of the Third Week Morning

Menaion - March 21

Memory of our St. James the Bishop and Confessor

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode pl. 1.

Verse 1: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 3: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 4: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, bring more evils on them, on the glorious of the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode pl. 1.

It is time to sing hymns; it is the hour of prayer. Let us earnestly cry out to our only God: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the power of Your Cross save us. [SD]

Glory.

Daring to portray Your spiritual armies, O unoriginate Trinity, we cry out with unworthy lips: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

O Christ our God, You were contained in the womb of the Virgin, and never parted from the bosom of the Father. Accept us as we cry to You together with the Angels: Holy, holy, holy are You our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 13. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For the Cross.

Mode pl. 1.

The Place of the Skull became Paradise; for once the tree of the Cross was planted there, immediately it blossomed the grape cluster of life, namely You, O Savior, to gladden our hearts. Glory to You. [SD]

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy. [SAAS]

Mode pl. 1.

O Savior, the tree of Your Cross became the salvation of the world. For You were willingly nailed to it, and thus You delivered us born on earth from the curse, O Life of all. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As Your Mother was watching You, voluntarily * crucified with the robbers on either side, O Christ, * she was cut to the quick, and as a mother and she said, * “O my sinless Son, alas, You were nailed to the Cross, unjustly, as if a convict, * O most benevolent Savior, in order to give life to humanity.” [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 14. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray 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

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II. From the Triodion.

Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

We mortals, who died of old through eating from the tree, are through Thy Cross restored to life, O merciful Lord. By its power, O loving Master, give us strength to pass through the season of abstinence with compunction, obedient to Thy will, and to see the day of Thy light giving Resurrection. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 15. Then the short litany.

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode 1. (NM)

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

With our flesh cleansed by abstinence and our souls filled with light by prayer, count us worthy, O Lord, to look upon Thy precious and venerable Cross and to reverence it with fear, singing hymns and saying: Glory to Thy lifegiving Cross; glory to the holy spear that pierced Thee, whereby we are restored to life, O Thou who alone lovest mankind. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Your Mother, the blameless Sheep, saw You the Lamb, O Logos, * in Your long-suffering, crucified together with robbers, * and witnessed the spear pierce Your side, * she lamented maternally and cried, * “O my Jesus, what is this awesome and horrifying mystery? * How can You, the limitless God, be concealed by a tomb? * What is happening is unspeakable! * Do not abandon me, Your Mother, O sweetest Son of mine!” [GOASD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalampus and Eleutherius, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Catherine, Kyriaki, Photini, Marina, Paraskevi and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Δεῦτε λαοί.

Verse: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified.

Peoples, now come * and let us sing a song to Christ our God, * who by His prophet split the sea and through it led across * His people and possession, out of Egyptian bondage, * for He was glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O James, you had received the enlightenment of your Master in your soul. You forsook the world and its murky deception. You attained to glory that transcends the world. [un]

Verse: The Lord reigns forever and ever and ever. For Pharaoh’s horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. [SAAS]

O James, you had received the enlightenment of your Master in your soul. You forsook the world and its murky deception. You attained to glory that transcends the world. [un]

Verse: But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [SAAS]

O righteous Father, you took the Cross upon your shoulders. You followed after the Crucified. You lived in solitude with all wisdom. You diminished the passions through abstinence. [un]

Glory.

O blessed James, from your tender youth you became a vessel receptive of the Spirit’s gifts. You became a citizen and heir of the Zion on high. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Maid, you alone gave birth to God, whom nothing can contain. In His goodness He was contained in you. Implore Him that those who praise you may be saved. [un]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Στερέωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν σοὶ Κύριε.

Verse: Holy are You, O Lord, and my spirit praises You.

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Your way of life was delightful. Your speech was inspired and seasoned with the salt of love. Your heart was readily moved with compunction. For this reason, with faith we call you blessed. [un]

Verse: The Lord went up into the heaven and thundered. The Lord judges the ends of the earth. [SAAS]

Your way of life was delightful. Your speech was inspired and seasoned with the salt of love. Your heart was readily moved with compunction. For this reason, with faith we call you blessed. [un]

Verse: He gives strength to our leaders, and He will exalt the horn of His Christ. [SAAS]

O all-blessed Father James, you venerated the holy icon of Christ, who appeared in a body for our sakes. You endured persecutions and perils and pains. [un]

Glory.

You offered yourself as a pure sacrifice to the Lord, by putting sin to death. As a lawful hierarch, you offered Him the bloodless Sacrifice. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin, we call you golden censer, the vessel of the divine manna, and the throne and most delightful palace of God. [un]

Heirmos.

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [SD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are our 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.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. N/M (You were so beautiful.)

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

O Father blessed by God, we are amazed before the splendor of your thoughts, the beauty of your wise teachings of piety, and the persecutions that you endured for the holy icons. Therefore, as is fitting, we honor you, far-famed and all-lauded James, sacred priest of your Fashioner. Thus with praises we cry out to you: O Saint, grant us salvation by your prayers. [un]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 3.

O Mother of God, we who ceaselessly magnify you with love possess the Cross of your Son as a sceptre of power. By it we humble the insolence of our enemies. [un]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰσακήκοα Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

I have heard the report, O Lord, * of your eternal plan for our salvation, * and I glorified You, the only Friend of man. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O all-blessed James, you were washed with streams of tears. You became a pure vessel of the Spirit. [un]

Verse: The Lord God is my strength; He will direct my feet to the end. [SAAS]

O all-blessed James, you were washed with streams of tears. You became a pure vessel of the Spirit. [un]

Verse: He will set me upon high places, so to conquer by His song. [SAAS]

You put to sleep the pleasures of the body with night-long supplications. You were seen to be an unsleeping lamp of dispassion. [un]

Glory.

O righteous Hierarch, you were humble, moderate, compassionate, guileless, and sober minded. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O sovereign Lady, perpetually virgin, you inexpressibly conceived God. Deliver us all from temptations and afflictions. [un]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ὁ τοῦ φωτὸς χορηγός.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

Lord, the provider of light, * and the Creator of the ages, we pray * that You will guide us in the light of Your all-holy commands. * Except for You, we do not know any other God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O righteous Father, you loved true glory. You abominated that which is highly esteemed among men. You became a luminary, conspicuous with the splendor of humility. [un]

Verse: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

O righteous Father, you loved true glory. You abominated that which is highly esteemed among men. You became a luminary, conspicuous with the splendor of humility. [un]

Verse: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth. [SAAS]

O Father and Hierarch, godly-minded James, you set yourself like a pillar. You stood in prayers throughout the night. You received the divine rays in the eye of your soul,. [un]

Verse: O Lord, Your arm is exalted, but they did not know it. But when they know it, they shall be ashamed. [SAAS]

O righteous one, in much self-control, in fervent vigil, in prayer and hardship, you sought God. He has carried you to the mansions on high. [un]

Verse: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O immaculate Virgin, because you are compassionate, heal my heart, which is wounded by the attacks of the enemy. You ineffably gave birth to Him who was wounded in the flesh on the Cross. [un]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Five.

O Lord our God, grant us peace, for You render everything to us. [SAAS]

O Lord our God, possess us; O Lord, we know no other besides You; we name Your name.

The dead will not see life; neither will physicians raise them. Therefore You brought evils upon them and destroyed them, and took away every male of theirs.

Because of Your fear, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, and we have given birth. We brought forth the spirit of Your salvation on the earth. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Ὁ ἀναβαλλόμενος.

Verse: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, on the glorious of the earth [SAAS]

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; by Thy wounds cleanse the wounds of my soul, O Christ who hast accepted suffering in the flesh. [KW]

Verse: O Lord, I remembered You in my hard circumstances. Your chastening to us was a small affliction. [SAAS]

When the sun beheld Thee, O Christ, hanging in the flesh upon the Wood, its light was changed to darkness; and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. [KW]

Verse: As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs, when she draws near the time of her delivery, so we became Your beloved. [SAAS]

O Lord who in Thy surpassing love hast been crowned with thorns, cleanse my soul, for it is full of thorns and overgrown with the weeds of all the passions. [KW]

Verse: We shall not fall but the inhabitants of the world shall fall. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O all-pure Virgin, thou hast brought forth my Creator as a new born babe. Entreat Him, then, I pray thee, to fashion me anew, who am grown old in evil. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode 1. (NM) Seeking The early.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Verse: The dead shall rise up; and those in the tombs shall arise. Those in the earth shall be glad. [SAAS]

At the place of the Skull, O Christ, the Jews who crucified Thee wagged their heads in laughter and mockery; and all this Thou hast endured for our salvation. [KW]

Verse: For your dew is a healing for them, but the land of the ungodly shall come to an end. [SAAS]

Pilate wrote the inscription on Thy Cross in three languages, O Christ, showing in this way that Thou art one of the Trinity; who suffered of Thine own will for the salvation of all. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O ye faithful, let us praise the threefold Sun of the Trinity supreme in radiance, honouring the Father as Light, glorifying the Son as Light, and proclaiming the Spirit as Light. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure and honoured Virgin, He who was born of thee has made thee higher than the angels. For they are afraid to gaze on Him as God, but thou hast carried Him in thine arms as thy Son. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O precious Cross, guardian and salvation of the world, watch over me as I fast and count me worthy to take part in thy holy veneration. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Seeking Thee early in the morning, we sing Thy praises, Christ our God, who hast for our sakes become poor and in Thy flesh endured the Cross and death. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vi. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν ἀβύσσῳ πταισμάτων.

Verse: Save us, O Lord, like You saved the Prophet Jonah.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O righteous James, the rivers of your tears dried up a sea of evil passions. They gained consolation on high for your venerable soul. [un]

Verse: Those who follow vanity and lies forsake their own mercy. [SAAS]

O righteous James, the rivers of your tears dried up a sea of evil passions. They gained consolation on high for your venerable soul. [un]

Verse: As much as I vowed, I shall offer up to You, to You, the Lord of Deliverance. [SAAS]

O all-celebrated Father, you were forbearing, meek, guileless, righteous, sweet, humble-minded, moderate, and full of illumination. [un]

Glory.

O wise shepherd James, your memorial is glorified with the memorial of the divine shepherds. Like the Good Shepherd, you shepherded your flock in righteousness. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

He who made the universe by His will, willed to dwell in your virginal womb. He made rich with incorruption those who were diseased with corruption, for He is compassionate. [un]

Heirmos.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, 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.

From Triodion - - -

READER

For the Martyrs. Mode pl. 1.

The medaled Martyrs’ commemoration is splendid today, for it is illumined with a heavenly light. The chorus of Angels is celebrating, and the human race is also observing the feast. And therefore they intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 21 we commemorate our devout father Iakovos the bishop and confessor.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Thomas, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Philemon and Domninus.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Beryllus, Bishop of Catania.

On this day St. Serapion of Sidon reposed in peace.

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰκόνος χρυσῆς.

Verse: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.

The image of gold * was in Babylon on Dura being worshiped. * But Your three Servants showed complete disdain * for that abominable decree. * Thrown into the fiery furnace, * in the midst of it they were bedewed, * singing: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Father, you endured many persecutions and unrelenting temptations. You warded off the enemies of the icons as a zealot of righteousness. O James, you enlightened all who saw, while crying: Blessed are You, the God of our Fathers. [un]

Verse: Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, and You are praised and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

Verse: Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, for You are praised and glorified unto the ages. [SAAS]

O blessed one, you brought to mind the dread coming of Christ. You passed your whole life in compunction. You found complete cleansing of offences, eternal consolation, true enlightenment, and unspeakable glory. [un]

Glory.

In meekness of soul, you were a lamb of Christ the Shepherd. O Father, you were tended by Him. You became a shepherd of rational sheep in the Spirit, ever singing together with them: Blessed are You, the God of our Fathers. [un]

Both now. Theotokion.

O venerable Mary, pure and blessed Ever-virgin, You restore those who fall and give redemption to those who sin. Save me, the prodigal. Save me, who cries out to your Son: Blessed are You, the God of our Fathers. [un]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐν καμίνῳ τοῦ πυρός.

Verse: O you works, to the Lord sing a hymn, and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

When God went down into the fire * of the furnace with the holy Hebrew Servants, * He converted the flames there into dew refreshing them. * Extol Him as Lord, O you works of His, * and exalt Him beyond measure, * unto all the ages. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O righteous James, your most pure mind communed with the pure emissions of light. It wisely declined from the darkness of the demons and the murk of the passions, as you cried: Praise you Christ unto the ages. [un]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, you heavens of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O wise and all-blessed Father, you quenched the fiery darts of the enemy with the showers of your unceasing tears. You were aflame with the love of Christ. You burned up the wildly overgrown thorns of the pleasures. [un]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heaven, all you powers of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O wise James, divine and full of light, by your prayers preserve from temptations and perils this flock that you have gathered by your teachings. Preserve those who with faith celebrate your sacred and august memorial. [un]

Verse: Bless the Lord, you sun and moon, you stars of heaven, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O Virgin Mother of God, you are the living fountain that brought forth the Water of Life. Give my soul a drink, withered up as it is by the burning heat of sin, so that I may glorify you unto all the ages. [un]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, all you winds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Bless the Lord, you fire and heat, you winter cold and summer heat, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you dews and snows, you frost and cold, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you hoarfrosts and snows, you lightning and clouds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you light and darkness, you night and day, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you earth, you mountains and hills, and all you things growing on the earth, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you springs, you seas and rivers, you sea-monsters and everything that moves in the waters, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Σοὶ τῷ παντουργῷ.

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you birds of heaven, all you wild animals and cattle, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Christ, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Cross, and so Thou hast destroyed the sin of our forefather who stretched out his hands in greed. By the Tree hast Thou healed the curse of the tree: therefore we sing Thy praises for ever. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O children of men. Bless the Lord, O Israel, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

I fall down before Thee, O Word, who desirest my salvation. Cause the evil desires to vanish swiftly from my heart, O Thou who hast willingly endured the Cross and Passion. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O priests of the Lord, O servants of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

I have loved the guilty life of the Prodigal and my soul has grown dark. O Word who at Thy Passion hast darkened the light of the sun, shine upon me with Thy brightness, that I may turn back to Thee. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, O holy ones and humble in heart, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Cause every ill to vanish from my greatly suffering heart, O Mother of Christ my God. Shatter the arrows and bows of the demons that make war against my humiliated soul. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 1. (NM) Christ our God preserved.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

In our wretchedness what shall we offer Thee, O Master of all, who hast suffered for us? Thou hast endured the Cross for our sake, O Christ, and we sing the praises of Thy grace and boundless mercy. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The lawless Jews who from envy killed Thee on the accursed tree, harmed not the power of Thy glory. For Thou remainest Master of all, and Thou hast suffered by Thine own free choice. [KW]

Verse: We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

For the Trinity.

I honour the three Persons of the Godhead that transcends all being, and I glorify for ever the Father without beginning, the Son and the Holy Spirit, undivided in essence and nature. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

We praise her who is higher that the heavens and exalted above the cherubim, the first among the saints, the undefiled Maiden who bore the God of all, and we exalt her above all for ever. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O thrice-blessed Cross of Christ, while hidden in the earth thou hast given us a victory-written in the sky; grant that, cleansed by fasting, we may all be counted worthy to venerate thee. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

Christ our God preserved the Children who sang His praises in the furnace, and He changed the roaring flames to dew; let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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 2.

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]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode ix. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ Θεὸν Λόγον.

Being from God, God the Logos * with ineffable wisdom * came to make Adam new who fell through food * into corruption unhappily. * From an all-holy Virgin * ineffably He took on flesh for us. * We the faithful extol Him concordantly and magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O most sacred Father, peer of the righteous, after your many labors, and after innumerable pains, sweat, and veritable tribulations, you have come to rest in the heavenly port, bearing the riches of divine virtues. [un]

Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. [RSV]

Verse: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. [RSV]

O Father James, we honor you as a star that outshines the day, a house of the Spirit, a rose wholly fragrant with mystical sweetness, a towering tree, a partaker of eternal glory, and a wise hierarch. [un]

Verse: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. [RSV]

O godly-minded Hierarch, our Father James, the torrents of your tears indeed poured abundantly into the earth of your heart. They have fattened a ripe ear of wheat, which ever feeds the souls of those who honor you with faith. [un]

Verse: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. [RSV]

Theotokion.

Spare me, O Lord, spare me when You come to judge me. Do not condemn me to the fire nor rebuke me in Your anger. O Christ, the Virgin that gave You birth beseeches You, and so do the multitudes of the Angels and the glorious James. [un]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Rejoice, Isaiah.

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

Verse: The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, be[ing] delivered from the hand of our enemies. [RSV]

O compassionate Saviour, take away the stony hardness of my soul, and grant me in Thy love a fountain of divine compunction: for Thou hast poured out life upon me from Thy side and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [KW]

Verse: [That we] might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. [RSV]

Forsaking the heights of virtue I have thrown myself into the depths of sin. But draw me up and save me, for Thou hast ascended on the Cross and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [KW]

Verse: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. [RSV]

O Lord Christ who art sweetness and delight, Thou the Creator hast tasted gall and raised up Adam’s children from their fall that came about through sensual pleasure. Saved by Thy Passion, we sing Thy praises. [KW]

Verse: To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [RSV]

Theotokion.

All-holy Lady, my hope and refuge, heal the wounds of my soul and give peace to my mind, that even I may praise thy greatness, Ever Virgin Theotokos. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 1. (NM) Moses saw thee.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

Verse: When the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. [RSV]

The transgressors in mockery clothed Thee with purple, O Christ, and crowned Thee as King, striking Thy head with a reed; and from envy they crucified Thee and gave Thee gall to drink. In our hymns with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

Verse: To guide our feet into the way of peace. [RSV]

When the sun beheld Thy sufferings upon the Cross, it hid its light; and seeing the outrages which Thou hast undergone, O Master, the whole creation quaked and the rocks were rent. In our hymns, Christ our Saviour, we magnify Thee. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Unity of the threefold Sun, Light and Life and Maker of all, God and Lord, shining with a single light, three Persons in one Godhead: with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

In prophecy David the Psalmist called thee Zion: for He whom the heavens cannot contain made thee His dwelling-place, and from thy flesh He formed the mercy-seat of the world. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Lord, through abstinence enable us to run swiftly to Thy saving Cross, the Light of the faithful, and to behold and venerate it for our sanctification; that so through the Cross we may magnify Thee. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

Moses saw thee as a bush unconsumed by fire, and Jacob beheld thee as the living ladder and the gate of heaven, through which Christ our God has passed. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

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

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.

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the power of Your Cross, and save me. [SD]

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

O Lord and Giver of light, send out Your light and illumine my heart, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save me. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. 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. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

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. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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.

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. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

I have scattered the riches which the Father gave me and wasted my life as the Prodigal, carried away by the evil thoughts of sin. Taking pleasure in the sweetness of passion, I have transgressed Thy saving commandments and become like the unthinking beasts. O Christ my God, who for my sake wast pleased to hang upon the Cross, deprive me not of sonship, but accept me as I now turn back to Thee like the Prodigal Son, and save me. [KW]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 2.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

At the commemoration of Thy martyrs, O Lord, the whole creation keeps festival; heaven with the angels greatly rejoices, and the earth with all mankind makes glad. At their intercessions have mercy on us. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

The all-pure Theotokos, O Lord, * was watching You be crucified. * As a mother * she was grieving and she cried, saying, “O my sweetest Child, * how is it that You suffer * this painful Passion, O my Son and my God?” [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.

READER

Standing in your glorious church, O Theotokos, we think we are standing in heaven. O heavenly Gate, open to us the door of your mercy.

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

READER

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

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.