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Triodion

Grave Mode. On Thursday Morning

On Thursday of the Fifth Week Morning

The Service of the Great Canon

Menaion - April 3

Memory of our Devout Father Nikitas the Confessor

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

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

Grave Mode.

O Lord, in Your highest power You are extolled by the cherubim, and in Your divine glory You are worshiped by the angels. Accept us sinners also, who dare unworthily to cry to You: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! By the intercessions of the Apostles save us. [SD]

Glory.

O my soul, cast off laziness as if it were sleep, and show the Judge that you have woken and are mending your ways, and with fear cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! By the intercessions of the Hierarch save us. [SD]

Both now.

To the unapproachable Godhead, the Trinity in Unity, let us send up the Thrice-Holy Hymn of the Seraphim; and with fear cry aloud: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

If the Great Canon is on Wednesday at Compline, the appointed Kathismata are read, i.e. Kathismata 6, 7, and 8. 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

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.

From Triodion - - -

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Grave Mode.

O Lord, You showed Your Apostles to be husbandmen of Your field, who weeded out the idols. Therefore they preached to the Gentiles that You are the Savior, and they magnified You with correct belief. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

O children of the Church, as we commemorate the all-lauded Apostles, let us extol Christ in songs and hymns. They saved those guilty of sin, by preaching repentance. They drove away deceitful error, they shined light on the world, and they intercede on behalf of our nation. [SD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

O Saints, we pray you to intercede for us, that we be granted forgiveness for our offenses, and that we be delivered form impending evils and from bitter death. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O Mother of Christ our God, we salute you and say: Rejoice! From you the Logos became flesh without alteration, and He dwelt among us. Rejoice, noble Lady! You are the exultation of the Apostles and Martyrs, and the salvation of the faithful. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Life of all, You rose.)

Divinely-shining lights, eyewitnesses of the Saviour, illuminate us in the darkness of this life, that we may now walk honestly as in the day; with the torch of abstinence may we drive out the passions of the night, and behold with joy the splendour of Christ’s Passion. [KW]

Glory. Another.

Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)

O company of the twelve apostles, chosen by God, offer now to Christ your supplications, that we may all complete the course of the Fast, saying our prayers with compunction and practising the virtues with an eager heart; and so may we attain the glorious Resurrection of Christ our God, bringing to Him praise and glory.

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)

The son and Word of God whom nothing can contain, in ways past speech and understanding was born from thee, O Theotokos. With the apostles pray to Him, that He may bestow true peace upon the inhabited earth and grant to us before the end forgiveness of our sins, in His boundless love counting thy servants worthy of the heavenly Kingdom. [KW]

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.

Ἐν βυθῷ κατέστρωε.

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

Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Illumined by the light of the divine lightning, Father, you devoted your life to God, having preferred from childhood the light-bearing brightness of virginity, through which you resembled the purity of the bodiless. [VPA]

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

By the guiding, divine, and pure Spirit you were made golden, and by the monastic garb which is divine in appearance, you lived in purity. And having been enkindled by the many-lighted ray, God-bearer, you steadfastly continued building a most-pure life. [VPA]

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

Strengthened by the power of the Cross, you utterly quenched the passions of the flesh, O all-wise Niketas, and illumined your mind by meditating on the teachings of the Spirit and you were made to enjoy the unspendable riches of divine visions. [VPA]

Glory.

You were made to shine with soundness of mind, blessed one, and through purity you ascended to holy self-control, since you were adorned with the most bright garment of the priesthood, being known as a mediator of divine mysteries, Venerable one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Unto the Creator you gave birth, * when in His good pleasure He became incarnate, O Maid, in your virgin womb. * Hence you are superior * to creation all, invisible and visible. * Intercede with Him with confidence, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐξήνθησεν ἡ ἔρημος.

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

The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having acquired a heavenly manner of life, glorious one, you became a beacon of the light of piety, luminous and very bright, eminent with your divine gifts. [VPA]

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

You put to death the thoughts of your flesh, all-wise one and through the virtues you made the divine part of the soul to live and became worthy of the undecaying life. [VPA]

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

You completed your life rejoicing, Venerable one, adorned with beauty and the gracefulness of many gifts, in which your heart was established. [VPA]

Glory.

Adorned by virtues, you shone as the sun for the ranks of monastics, Venerable, godly-minded Niketas. Therefore, rejoicing, we bless you. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Having boldness as His Mother, O Lady, towards your Son, ask Him to come to the aid of your people and your flock and shatter the insolence of the lawless. [VPA]

Heirmos.

The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [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 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

You took your abode in the mountains of silence, wise one, and manifestly grew in the cities of self-control. You were lifted up on both, you left the life of earth-bound pleasures and you reached the heavenly dwelling, in which entreat God for us. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

I, the prodigal, having darkened my mind with many transgressions, call upon your true support. Illumine, O Theotokos, the face of my soul, shine the most bright light of repentance upon me and robe me in the weapons of light, all-blameless one. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐλήλυθας ἐκ Παρθένου.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

O God-bearer, You were shown to be one who severs the roots of the passions by the purity of your soul, and you pulled up all the soul-killing fraudulent teaching of those who warred against God, all-venerable teacher of sacred things. [VPA]

Verse: Lord, I have heard Your report and was afraid; I considered Your works and was greatly astonished. [SAAS]

Verse: When my soul is troubled, You will in wrath remember mercy. [SAAS]

Having received the crown of victory, you now rest in the heavenly dwellings, having shaken off the passions and been clothed in dispassion, O all-happy and blessed Father. [VPA]

Verse: God will come from Teman, the Holy One from the mount of shaded leafy trees. [SAAS]

You offered your life to Christ like a blameless sacrifice, full of divine love and adorned with the beauty of asceticism, all-blessed one. [VPA]

Verse: His excellence covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

All we, the faithful, know you, O Lady Theotokos, as a harbor of salvation and a wall unshaken, for, by your intercessions, you free our souls from dangers. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Four.

His brightness will be like the light; horns will be in His hand, and He established a mighty love of His strength. [SAAS]

Before His face a word will go forth; it will go out by the shoes of His feet.

The earth stood and was shaken to and fro; He looked and the nations melted away.

The mountains were shattered by force; the everlasting hills wasted away. In the place of distresses, I saw His eternal ways.

The tents of the Ethiopians will be dismayed, even the tents of the land of Midian.

When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the nations by the number of God’s angels.

You will stretch your bow against scepters, says the Lord. The land of rivers shall be torn asunder.

Many peoples will see you and be in travail, dispersing waters from its course. The abyss uttered its voice; raising its form on high.

The sun arose, and the moon stood in its course; at the light of Your arrows they went forth, at the flashing of Your gleaming weapons.

You will bring low the land with threatening; You will break the nations in wrath.

You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed ones. You brought death upon the heads of the lawless; You brought bonds upon their neck.

You cut off the heads of rulers in amazement; they shall tremble in it. They will break their bridles like a poor man eating secretly.

You ran your horses into the sea, churning up the many waters.

I kept watch, and my belly trembled from the sound of the prayer of my lips; and trembling penetrated into my bones. And my very frame of mind was troubled.

I shall rest in the day of tribulation to go up to the people of my sojourn. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode iv. Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Lord, I have heard the mystery

Εἰσακήκοα Κύριε.

Verse: For though the fig tree will not bear fruit and there be no grapes on the vines. [SAAS]

Enlightened by God, the apostles of Christ lived in abstinence; and by their divine mediation they help us in this season of the Fast. [KW]

Verse: The labor of the olive tree fail and the fields yield no food. [SAAS]

As an instrument of twelve strings, the divine choir of the disciples sang a hymn of salvation, confounding the music of evil. [KW]

Verse: Though the sheep have no pasture and there be no oxen in the cribs. [SAAS]

Driving away the drought of polytheism, O all-blessed apostles, with the rain of the Spirit ye have watered all the earth. [KW]

Verse: Yet I will glory in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

I have passed my life in arrogance: make me humble and save me, all-pure Lady, for thou hast borne the Lord who has exalted our humiliated nature. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode iv. Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Lord, I have heard

Εἰσακήκος Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

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

O honoured choir of the apostles, in your intercessions to the Maker of all, ask that He have mercy on us who sing your praises. [KW]

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

As Christ’s husbandmen, O apostles, ye have tilled the whole world with the word of God, and ye bring Him fruit at all times. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Trinity one in essence, without beginning and supreme in power, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: O God, Light and Life, guard Thy flock. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Hail, fiery Throne! Hail, Candlestick that bears the Light! Hail, Mountain of sanctification, Ark of life, Tabernacle and Holy of Holies! [KW]

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 4.

Εἰσακήκος Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

Lord, I heard Your report and I was afraid. I considered Your works, and I glorified Your dominion, O Master. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Μεσίτης Θεοῦ.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

As a meek one you have made your dwelling in the land of the meek, having become a fighter for the truth, all-memorable one, and you were brightly adorned with the crown of confession. [VPA]

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

As a meek one you have made your dwelling in the land of the meek, having become a fighter for the truth, all-memorable one, and you were brightly adorned with the crown of confession. [VPA]

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

You have now been translated to the divine light, having become a son of light truly in your heart, and you rejoice with gladness in joy and delight with the choirs of angels. [VPA]

Glory.

You have become a partaker of the indescribable delight of Paradise; for you were shown to be an all-calm harbor to those made cold by winter and became a feeder of those who hunger, blessed one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Entreat your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, that a peaceful delivery from opponents be given to those in difficult circumstances who place their hope in you. [VPA]

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.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

You held on to great hopes, all-blessed Father, having become an inheritor of the happiness of the Master and the divine illumination. [VPA]

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

You held on to great hopes, all-blessed Father, having become an inheritor of the happiness of the Master and the divine illumination. [VPA]

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

Holding on to the double light-bearing lamp of your confession and your ascetic works, you went to the heavenly places, God-bearing, all-noble Niketas [VPA]

Glory.

Enjoying the unending and divine delight from heavenly dwellings now, Father, entreat the Master and Lord of all for us. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You conceived without the help of man, O Virgin, and you ever-remain a Virgin, showing the true signs of the divinity of your Son and God. [VPA]

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. Grave Mode.

O Saints, we pray you to intercede for us, that we be granted forgiveness for our offenses, and that we be delivered form impending evils and from bitter death. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 3 we commemorate our devout father Niketas the confessor, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Joseph the Hymnographer.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Elpidophoros.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Dius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Bythonius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Galycus.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Illyrios of Mount Myrsion.

On this day the holy new martyr Paul the Russian, the freedman, who witnessed in Constantinople in the year 1683, died by the sword.

From the Triodion.

On this day, Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, according to ancient tradition, we chant the service of the Great and compunctious Canon.

Verses

Jesus, give the habit of compunction

to us who now sing the Great Canon.

By the intercessions of Saint Andrew, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἀντίθεον πρόσταγμα.

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

The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Your virtuousness greatly humbled to the ground the cruelty of the tyrant, putting him to death with intense entreaties, for the Lord knows how to do the will of those who fear him. [VPA]

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

Your virtuousness greatly humbled to the ground the cruelty of the tyrant, putting him to death with intense entreaties, for the Lord knows how to do the will of those who fear him. [VPA]

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

The thunder of your dogmas and the light-bearing lightning flash of your life illumined the world, shining upon the faithful with God-illumined torches and with bright words and deeds, God-blessed teacher of sacred things. [VPA]

Glory.

Strengthened by the might of the Paraclete you escaped the ranks of the demons and the nooses of the heresies, godly-minded one, and went up to the heavenly height, dwelling now with the choirs of the bodiless. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

We know you as the holy of holies, as the only one who bore the unchanging God, O unstained Virgin, unwedded Mother, for you spring up incorruptibility for all the faithful through your divine birth-giving. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Κάμινός ποτε.

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

Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having gone beyond all things of the senses, thrice-blessed one, you have now drawn near to the noetic light, all-venerable one, having been made worthy of divine visions and crying out, full of illumination: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

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

Having manifestly put on the mortification of the passions, you went towards the life-bearing choruses, all-blessed one, aflame with piety and alight with virtues, crying out: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

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]

Having toiled from infancy with all virtue, at the end of your struggles you were shown to be adorned with a crown of graces and you gained the prize, chanting: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

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]

Look upon us now from on high, Father, as you stand by your Master, Nikitas who bear the name of victory, as you have great boldness and ask for the salvation of souls for your flock, glorious revealer of sacred things. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

You conceived without seed the one who is not separated from the Father, who dwelt in your womb as God and man, and you gave birth to him in a manner beyond telling, O spotless birth-giver of God. Therefore we know you as the salvation of all. [VPA]

(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. 4. (NM) The eternal King of glory

Τὸν ἄναρχον Βασιλέα.

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]

As coals of immaterial fire, O apostles, burn up my material passions and kindle within me now a longing for divine love. [KW]

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

Let us honour the well-tuned trumpets of the Word, which have caused the ill-founded walls of the enemy to fall, and have firmly established the ramparts of the knowledge of God. [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]

Break in pieces the passionate idols of my soul, as ye brake in pieces the temples and pillars of the enemy, O apostles of the Lord, consecrated temples. [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.

O pure Virgin, thou hast contained Him who by nature cannot be contained; thou hast held Him who upholds all things; thou hast given suck to Him who sustains the creation, Christ the Giver of Life. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 4. (NM) The eternal King of glory

Τὸν ἄναρχον Βασιλέα.

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

O apostles of Christ, with the Spirit as architect ye have built the whole Church, within it ye bless Christ for ever. [KW]

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

Sounding the trumpets of the dogmas, the apostles have overthrown all the error of idolatry, exalting Christ above all for ever. [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.

O threefold Sun, all-radiant Sovereignty of God, O Nature one in glory, one in throne: Father all-creating, Son and Spirit of God, I praise Thee for ever. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

As a throne honoured and most high, let us praise in ceaseless song the Mother of God, O ye peoples, for she alone is both a Mother and a Virgin after childbirth. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Τὸν ἄναρχον Βασιλέα.

The regiments of the Angels all shudder * at the unoriginate King of glory. * O priest and people praise and exalt Him beyond measure, * unto all the ages. [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 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.

Ἀνάρχου Γεννήτορος.

To us was revealed the unoriginate Begetter’s Son, * from a Virgin incarnated. He is God and Lord, * coming to those sitting in darkness to give them light, * to gather the scattered. * And therefore the all-extolled Theotokos should be magnified. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Being pure you were made worthy of divine illumination shining brightly with the shapes of the virtues and always shining out with the crown of confession. Therefore we now honor your all-glorious feast. [VPA]

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]

Blessed one, you lived your life with soundness of mind, guided by the commands of the Savior. And now, the shadow having passed away, you have worthily gained with joy the unending life, most sacred speaker of divine things. [VPA]

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]

You quickly passed the sharp agitation of changeable things and were brought to the calm harbor of the kingdom of Christ rejoicing, O Niketas. To him, O Father, guide those who bless you and honor your memory. [VPA]

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

Theotokion.

Having received the heavenly rain in your womb like wool, you bore for us the one who gives immortality to all mortals who worship him and magnify you, the all-hymned Theotokos. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 4. (NM) Saved through thee, pure Virgin

Κυρίως Θεοτόκον.

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]

Ye were revealed, O apostles, as fountains of the water of salvation: bring refreshment to my soul that faints from the thirst of sin. [KW]

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

I am swimming in the deep waters of destruction and have come near to drowning: with Thy right hand, O Lord, save me as Thou hast saved Peter. [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]

Ye are the salt that gives savour to the teachings of salvation: dry up the rottenness of my mind and dispel the darkness of my ignorance. [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.

O Lady, thou hast brought forth our Joy: grant me the spirit of mourning that in the coming Day of Judgement I may be comforted by God. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 4. (NM) With all generations we magnify thee

Σὲ τὴν οὐρανοῦ.

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]

We magnify you in our hymns, O glorious company of the apostles: for ye have been revealed as shining lights of the inhabited earth, driving out error. [KW]

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

O blessed apostles, catching rational fish with the net of the Gospel, bring them always as an offering to Christ. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I sing Thy praises, Unity in three Persons, Father, Son and Spirit, one God, consubstantial Trinity, equal in power and without beginning. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

With all generations we call thee blessed, O Mother and Virgin: through thee we are delivered from the curse, for thou hast borne the Lord our Joy. [KW]

Heirmos (not metered). Mode pl. 4.

Σὲ τὴν οὐρανοῦ.

We, all generations, magnify you, the mediator between heaven and earth. Indeed, O Virgin, the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in you physically. [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

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 - - -

Grave Mode.

Awaken me, O Lord, that I may sing Your praises; and teach me to do Your will, by the intercessions of the Apostles, and save me. [SD]

Awaken me, O Lord, that I may sing Your praises; and teach me to do Your will, by the intercessions of the Hierarch, and save me. [SD]

Awaken me, O Lord, that I may sing Your praises; and teach me to do Your will, 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. 4.

Into the ambushes of thieves thou hast fallen, O my soul, and thou art sorely wounded, delivered through thine own sins into the hands of enemies without reason. But while thou still hast time, cry out with compunction: O hope of the hopeless, life of the despairing, raise me up, O Saviour, 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. 4.

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

When you put on the breastplate of righteousness and faith, and you fully armed yourselves with the sign of the cross, you became the Lord’s mighty soldiers, you bravely confronted the tyrants, and you blunted the deceit of the devil. And you were awarded medals as victors. We pray you intercede for the salvation of our souls. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4.

O all-pure Virgin Theotokos, accept the supplications of thy servants, and pray without ceasing that we may be given peace and the remission of our sins. [KW]

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.