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Pentecostarion

Leave-taking of Mid-Pentecost

Menaion - May 21

Memory of Sts. Constantine and Helen

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode pl. 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

O Lord, midway through the feast, give drink to my thirsty soul from the living waters of right belief. You, O Savior, proclaimed to everyone, “Let whoever is thirsty come to Me and drink.” You are the fountain of life, O Christ our God. Glory to You! [SD]

Glory. For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Your Apostle among the Rulers, St. Constantine, who once beheld in the sky the image of Your Cross, and who like Paul received his calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling City into Your hand. We entreat You to restore it in peace forever, at the intercession of the Theotokos, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Your confession.

Θείας πίστεως.

You became a new David in manner. * You received the oil of the kingdom, * as an honor from heaven, upon your head. * The Lord and Logos transcending all essences * anointed you with the Spirit, O glorious one. * Therefore you received the scepter to rule, as one most wise. * And you entreat that we obtain the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

The Master who knows the thoughts that are in everyone’s hearts, * went up into the Temple and He stood and He taught, * and to the liars He spoke the truth. * “Tell Me, why are you seeking to arrest Me who give life?” * He said this about the middle of the feast in public. * “O transgressors of the Law, do not judge by appearances.” [GOASD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

The Maker of the sun and all creation was led once to the Cross. And now to himself He leads you, the shining star, by stars from heaven. And to you first He bestowed imperial power. Therefore, O most pious emperor Constantine, we extol you and your mother Helen the godly-minded. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

When He went to Jerusalem, the Master of all * went up into the Temple about the middle of the feast, * and He argued with the Jews, refuting them publicly, * and exposed their heavy handedness, as their King and God. * Whereas, in His loving-kindness, * He is granting great mercy to all of us who believe in Him. [GOASD]

Kathisma III.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Your dignified memory has shone upon us today. * It brightens the universe with light of knowledge divine, * O God-inspired Constantine. * You among kings and rulers showed yourself to be pious, * for you obeyed the laws of the King of the heavens. * Therefore by your entreaties, from trials deliver us. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

About the middle of the feast, You went up and stood * in the Temple, and taught. Finally You said, * “If any one thirst, let him come to Me and drink.” * “Whoever drinks this divine drink that I give will never thirst. * From his heart will My dogmas like rivers flow out of him. * Whoever believes in God the Father, who sent Me, * will truly be glorified together with Me by Him.” * And we therefore sing to You: * Glory be to You, Christ God! * To us Your servants You poured out abundantly * the waters of Your love for humanity. [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 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

Antiphon 1.

Mode 4.

From my youth, many passions war against me. O my Savior, I implore You, uphold me and save me. (2) [GOASD]

You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire. (2) [GOASD]

Glory.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead. [GOASD]

Both now.

From the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well forth; they water all creation, so that life be engendered. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon. Psalms 88, 44.

I raised up a chosen one from My people. I found David My servant; I anointed him with My holy oil. (2)

Verse: Therefore God, Your God, anointed You.

I raised up a chosen one from My people. I found David My servant; I anointed him with My holy oil. [SAAS]

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the gate)

Jn. 10:9 – 16

The Lord said, “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

READER (read)

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]

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Glory. Mode 2.

At the intercession of the God-crowned rulers, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. [SAAS]

The memorial of Constantine the pious, like perfume that is poured out, has arisen today. He longed for Christ and therefore held the idols in contempt. On earth he erected a temple to the One who was crucified for us; while in heaven he received the crown of hope. [SD]

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; the holy, glorious, great, God-crowned Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, the Equals to the Apostles, whose memory we are celebrating; 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.

READER

Kontakion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

The feast according to the Law at its midpoint, O Christ our God, as the Creator and Master of everything, You said to all those who were present there, “Come that you might draw from Me the water of immortality.” Hence with faith we cry to You as we prostrate before You. Your tender mercies grant to us, we pray. You are the fountain and source of our life, O Lord. [SD]

Oikos.

With the streams of Your blood, water my soul parched by unlawful offenses, and show it to be fruitful in virtue. For You have said to all, to approach You, all-holy Word of God, and to draw the water of incorruption, which is alive and washes away the sins of those who extol Your glorious and divine Resurrection. O Good One, You grant to those who know You as God the power of the Spirit that truly came down from on high to Your Disciples. You are the fountain and source of our life, O Lord. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

On this day St. Constantine along with Helen his mother * have displayed the Cross, that tree worthy of all veneration. * Lifted up, it contradicts its Jewish detractors * and defends all faithful rulers from adversaries. * And for us it has been proven to be a great sign, * inspiring awe in war. [GOASD]

Oikos.

O believers, let us honor Constantine and his mother Helen. They heard to the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “with the cypress, the pine, and the cedar,” and they understood them as referring to the Cross, which was composed of three types of wood and which was the instrument of the saving Passion. It had been hidden because of jealousy and denial, but they found it. They made preparations to display it, and they summoned all the Jews there, and they showed the people this major vindication. And thus everyone saw them as victors, holding the unassailable shield, a great sign, inspiring awe in war. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 21 we commemorate the holy, glorious, God-crowned and great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, the Equals to the Apostles.

The holy Neo-martyr Pachomios, who witnessed in Ousaki, Philadelphia, died by the sword.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Mid-Pentecost

Ode i. Mode pl. 4.

Lord, You congealed the sea and saved Your people, keeping them dry; * and then You threw into the deep prideful Pharaoh’s chariots and army. * Then to the mountain of Your holiness You brought Your people, who shouted, * “Let us sing a song of victory * to You, our God; for in battles You are powerful and strong.” [GOASD]

Ode iii.

My heart exults and in the Lord firmly is established; * and in my God is my horn exalted; * and my mouth is open wide at my enemies, and in Your salvation I rejoice. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

With his spiritual eyes, the Prophet Habakkuk saw * in the future Your appearance on the earth, O Lord. * And therefore he cried out and said that God from Theman will surely come. * Glory to Your glory, O Christ! * Glory to Your condescension, O Lord! [GOASD]

Ode v.

O Lord our God, give peace to us, for You have rendered all. * O Lord our God, we pray, take possession of us. * Lord, O Lord, we do not know any other God except for You, and we name Your name. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

The troubles of my life are like storms at sea, * O Logos, and the waves are afflicting me. * I cry to You, as once did the Prophet Jonah, * to raise my life from corruption, O only Lord and compassionate God. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

All ablaze with a raging fire was the Chaldean furnace, * through which blew a dew-laden breeze at God’s almighty order. * The three holy Servants sang, * “You are the God of our fathers, and blessed are You.” [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Angels and you heavens, bless Him who as King is carried on a glorious throne, * and who as God is glorified unceasingly. * Ever bless and extol Him, 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.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Canon 1 of Mid-Pentecost.

Ode ix. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.

A cornerstone was cut out without hands from a never-quarried mountain, * which prefigured you, holy Virgin. * The stone is Christ, who joined the disparate natures. * As we rejoice because of this, O Theotokos, we magnify you. [GOASD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

We have learned from Christ our Teacher a new and holy way of living. * Let us be especially zealous to persevere and preserve it to the end, * so that we may experience the Holy Spirit when He comes to us.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Life-giver, assuming my mortal nature, You rendered it immortal, * and by grace You made it imperishable, O Savior, and raised it with yourself; * ending the age old enmity, unto the Father You presented it. [GOASD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Root, source, and cause of incorruption are You, O Virgin; and we faithful * honor you by aptly employing these words and images when extolling you. * For you poured out to all of us the hypostatic immortality. [GOASD]

From the Pentecostarion. Canon 2.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4. Virginity is a state.

Ἀλλότριον τῶν μητέρων.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

About the middle of the Jews’ feast of Tabernacles, * O Savior, You went up into Your holy Temple. * As You taught all the people, the Jews marveled at it, saying, * “This man has never studied, so how * is it that he has learning?” they asked. [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

As my Redeemer was performing great signs and wonders * and pouring out divine gifts, many cures and healings, * and was curing the people, relieving many of diseases, * the Jewish leaders became furious * about His many miracles. [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

When my Redeemer refuted the Jewish leaders, * who were disobedient, He answered them, saying, * “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. * The Law commands that on the Sabbath day * a man ought to be circumcised.” [GOASD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Within your womb, you contained Christ, O Virgin Mother. * He is one of the Trinity, Giver of life, and Savior. * All creation extols Him. In His presence hosts in heaven tremble. * O Lady blessed by all, implore Him for us, * entreating Him to save our souls. [GOASD]

For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. The heavens were astounded.

Ἐξέστη ἐπὶ τούτῳ.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

The tomb wherein your sacred and precious corpse * lies, O Constantine, surges continually with divine * lightning flashes and the resplendent rays * of cures for every malady unto all who draw near with ardent faith. * It drives away the darkness; * and by its never-setting * luster illumines those who sing your praise. [SD]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

In saintliness you finished your earthly life. * You have now gone to dwell with the other saints, for you abound * with illumination and holiness. * And therefore you continually * overflow with rivers of cures for all. * You wash away the passions, * O blessed Saint Eleni, * and you refresh our souls with holy drink. [SD]

Glory.

Eternally beginningless sovereign King, * You have granted to Saint Helen and to Constantine the Great * kingly rule in heaven, as in the past * You once permitted them to reign * as Orthodox Emperors on the earth, * for they sincerely loved You. * And by their intercessions * on all have mercy, O immortal Lord. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Virgin, you conceived the immortal King * and Creator of all, and gave birth to Him. And now behold, * you stand at His right hand, even as Queen * such as you are. And therefore, O pure one, importunely do I entreat: * Redeem me from the portion * on the left, and include me * among the right-hand sheep on Judgement Day. [SD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode pl. 4.

Virginity is a state alien to mothers, * and childbirth is foreign to those who are virgins. * But in you, Theotokos, have both of these been accomplished. * Indeed all generations everywhere * now call you blessed evermore. [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.

Exaposteilarion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

O Lord, You have the chalice * that never empties of Your gifts. * Please let me draw from Your water, * unto forgiveness of my sins, * for I am very thirsty, * only merciful compassionate Savior. [GOASD]

For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

The great and holy Constantine * with his mother St. Helen * did not receive imperial * rule and dominion from men * but by divine grace from heaven. * He is the one who witnessed * the divine trophy of the Cross * shining above, and by it he crushed the foes, * ending the deceptive ruse of the idols; * and he confirmed the Orthodox * faith as a world religion. [SD]

For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Lauds. Mode 4.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera for the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

When the Father’s personified * Wisdom, Power, and Radiance, * the eternal Logos, the very Son of God, * went to the Temple and there appeared * in flesh and began to teach * the ungrateful and severe * Jewish populace at the feast, * they were marveling * at the wealth of His knowledge, and they cried out, “How does this man have such learning, * since he was not taught by anyone?” [GOASD]

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

The Messiah and Lord of all * stopped the mouths of the Jewish scribes, * and He reprimanded the Jews who did not keep * the Law, and said, “Do not judge by mere appearances, but with just * judgment. For example, I * healed a man who was paralyzed, on the Sabbath day. * Therefore I am the Lord of both the Sabbath and the Law. O unjust people, * why seek to kill Me who raised the dead?” [GOASD]

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]

The severe and iniquitous * and ungrateful community * of the Jews were ready to stone Moses of old. * They killed Isaiah by sawing him * in two with a wooden saw. * They imprisoned in a pit * Jeremiah the holy sage. * Finally the Lord * they had crucified, and they shouted, “You who would destroy the holy Temple, * we will believe if you save yourself.” [GOASD]

For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]

Full of wisdom, Constantine, rejoice! * The well of Orthodox Faith, * that has watered in every age * the entire universe * with its waters most sweet, rejoice! * Glorious root, out of which has burgeoned forth * the fruit that feeds the entire Church of Christ, * you are the pride and joy * of the fathers; O rejoice! You are the first * of all Christian emperors. * Rejoice, believers’ joy! [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

He who rules over creation all, * O all-wise Ruler, foresaw * the obedience of your heart, * and through reason captured you * when unreason was ruling you; * and He illumined your thoughts and reasoning * with certain knowledge of Orthodox belief; * glorious Constantine, * to the world He showed you as a shining sun, * radiating brilliant beams * of godly words and deeds. [SD]

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

Full of wisdom, Helen, praised by all, when you accepted the Lord’s * saving teachings, like chosen earth * you abundantly produced * many fruits of your virtuous deeds. * And by displaying a holy way of life * for imitation, you thereby feed our minds. * Therefore we celebrate * your divine memorial, O royal Saint, * festively observing it today with heightened joy. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

The King of kings and God, who adorns the worthy with abundant gifts, caught you in His net, through the sign of the Cross, like He did to Paul the glorious, O Constantine. He said to you, “In this sign conquer your enemies.” Thus having sought Him, as did your godly-minded mother, and having found Him for whom you longed, you utterly defeated them. In company with your mother, earnestly pray for Orthodox rulers, and the Christ-loving armed forces, and all of us who loyally observe your memory, entreating our only benevolent Lord, to deliver us from all wrath. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4.

We were illumined, O brethren, by the Resurrection of Christ the Savior. And now we have reached the middle of the feast of the Lord. Let us sincerely keep the commandments of God, so that we may become worthy to celebrate the Ascension as well, and witness the coming of the Holy Spirit. [SD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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

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

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.