Books - Sources

Pentecostarion

On Tuesday of the Second Week - Evening

Menaion - April 30

Memory of the Holy Apostle Iakovos (James), the Brother of John the Theologian

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Mode pl. 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

CHOIR

Mode pl. 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. [GOA]

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 1.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera for the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

Πανεύφημοι μάρτυρες.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

To Thomas said He who loves mankind, * resurrected on the third day from the dead, “Touch me with your hand and see my hands and feet * how they had been punctured, * see the scaring on my side, * and know Me, the immutable God who condescended to accept * human nature and an earthen form * in My person, * and also to suffer for you.” [SD]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

When Thomas the Twin beheld the wounds * on the Savior’s hands and feet, he was amazed and he marveled at the awesome miracle. * When he saw the Lord’s side, * scarred and yet immaculate, * he touched it with his hand. And from this profound experience he preached * to the nations, that without a doubt * on the third day * Christ truly rose from the tomb. [SD]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

So great is the joy that I receive, * O my Savior, seeing how Your resurrection was verified extraordinarily! * You commanded Thomas * to touch You. O daring deed! * And therefore we proclaim now dogmatically that You are God and man, * single person, with two energies * of the natures * from which You are comprised, O Lord. [SD]

For the Apostle.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

Seer of God, St. Iakovos, as soon as you had received * from the Logos the word to come, * discontinuing to work * for your father, you followed Him. * You left behind the commotions of this life * and worked instead in the spiritual sea, * waters of which you stirred * with the otherworldly thunder of your words, * proclaiming the Gospel truth, Apostle blest by God. [GOASD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

All-blessed James, as you served the Word, who is the author of life * and the Lord of the age to come, * by your God-inspired words * you warned reprobate Israel * that since their god was their stomach they had lost * the claims and privileges of the firstborn son, * You reprimanded them, * demonstrating that henceforth they are deprived * of the Father’s shelter, blessing, and inheritance. [GOASD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

Since you became the disciple of the One who made all things, * He assigned a kingdom to you, * ruling over all earth, * as it says in the Gospel of Luke. * Glorious James, you were taken from this life * before the rest of the sacred band of Twelve. * You were the first one whom * lawless men assassinated by the sword, * because of your ardent zeal for Christ, O blessed Saint. [GOASD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You were the first of the Twelve Disciples chosen by your divine Teacher to drink His cup of death which He promised, O all-lauded Apostle James, for you, first, suffered death by sword for His sake by command of Herod. And thus the benevolent Lord took you as a joint heir of His kingdom. And now, together with your brother John, you intercede on behalf of our souls. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4.

Lord, You appeared in the unbearable brightness of Your divinity, even as the doors remained shut; and You stood among Your Disciples, and You uncovered Your side, and You showed them the marks of the wounds on Your hands and Your feet. Thus You dispelled their sadness and dejection, and You distinctly said to them, “My friends, as you can see me now, I am in the body that I assumed and not a ghost.” Then You spoke to the doubting Disciple, and You terrifically urged him to touch You, saying, “Come and investigate everything, and then no longer have any doubt.” When he touched You, and with his hand sensed Your two natures, he was drawn to believe, and with fear and faith he cried out, “My Lord and my God, glory to You!” [GOASD]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode 1.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. ) [HC]

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are 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.

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)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 1.

For the Cross.

The Cross was firmly planted on Calvary, and from the ever-flowing fountain of the side of the Savior, for us it blossomed immortality. [SD]

Resurrectional.

Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]

Come, all you peoples, let us extol and worship Christ, and let us glorify His resurrection from the dead. For He is our God, who redeemed the world from the enemy’s deception. [GOASD]

For the Martyrs.

Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]

Oh, what an excellent transaction you made, O Saints! For you invested blood and inherited the heavens. Temporarily tested, you rejoice eternally. Good indeed was your enterprise! For by relinquishing things corruptible, you received in return things that perish not. And now exulting with the Angels you endlessly extol the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]

Glory. For the Apostle.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

O Apostle and Martyr James, you were a divinely chosen sheep of the Good Shepherd. Now you rejoice in heaven together with your brother John. We who celebrate your solemn memory entreat you, to pray for the forgiveness of our sins, and that we be given the great mercy. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

“Thomas, touch my side with your hand,” said Christ, “and come and put your fingers on the marks of the nails. Examine Me with faith, and become a believer in Me, and not a disbeliever.” When Thomas touched the Master with his finger, he said in a loud voice, “You are my Lord God and Lord!” O compassionate Savior, glory to You! [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion. For the Apostle.

Mode 3.

O holy Apostle James, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses.

Glory. Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy Apostle Iakovos (James), the Brother of John the Theologian, whose memory we observe, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

According to the Patriarchal Hemerologion:

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Amen.

or:

According to common practice:

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

PEOPLE

Truly the Lord is risen!