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Pentecostarion

Leave-taking of Blindman

Menaion - May 27

Memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Helladius

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode pl. 1.

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode pl. 1. Automelon.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As the Father and Spirit are unoriginate, * so the Word, who was born from the Virgin for us. * Let us praise Him, O believers, and let us worship Him. * For our salvation He was pleased * to be crucified in the flesh, * and to undergo death, * and to resurrect the dead, by His glorious resurrection. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Hail, gate of the Lord, through which no man has passed! * Wall and shelter of all who rely on you, rejoice! * Port and haven undisturbed by any tempest, rejoice! * You gave birth to your Creator and God in the flesh, * ever remaining a virgin. * Never cease interceding for us who worship and extol your Son. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For 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. Resurrectional.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

Let us honor the Cross of the Lord with solemn praise, * and His holy entombment extol with sacred hymns, * and His Rising from the dead supremely glorify; * for He despoiled the realm of death and the devil’s might, for He is God; * then He resurrected * the dead from the graves together, * and made the light to dawn on those in hell. [SD]

Glory. Mode pl. 1.

Whereas You, O Lord, were labeled dead, yet in fact You put death to death. And You, the very emptier of graves, were yourself interred. Soldiers overhead were guarding the sepulcher, even as You below resurrected the dead of all ages. Lord almighty and incomprehensible, glory to You. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Holy Mountain on which God himself has trod, rejoice. * Living bush that was burning and not consumed, rejoice. * O Rejoice, the only bridge that joins the world to God * and conducts the mortal human race to everlasting life. * Rejoice, immaculate Maiden, * who without knowing a husband * truly gave birth to Him who saves our souls. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

With the Father and Spirit He is unoriginate; * as with a garment He covers himself with light divine. * The Savior donned our human nature in His benevolence; * and He drove out the diseases of humanity, as God. * He cured the eyes of the blind man, * who from his birth was deprived of vision, * and He gave him his sight. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

With the Father and Spirit He is unoriginate; * as with a garment He covers himself with light divine. * The Savior donned our human nature in His benevolence; * and He drove out the diseases of humanity, as God. * He cured the eyes of the blind man, * who from his birth was deprived of vision, * and He gave him his sight. [SD]

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]

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 Pentecostarion - - -

Kontakion. For the Blindman.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

In the eyes of soul have I * become unseeing. * Unto You I come, O Christ, * as did of old the man born blind, * and in repentance I cry to You. * For those in darkness You are the most resplendent light. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 27 we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Helladius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Therapon.

The holy Martyr Efsebiotes died by fire.

The holy Martyr Alypios died when his head was crushed by a stone.

On this day we also commemorate our devout and God-bearing father John the Russian the new Confessor.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Γῆ καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Earth and all therein, bless the Lord! * All you springs and rivers and the sea, * heavens of heavens, bless the Lord! * Light and darkness, frost and summer heat, * you children of men, and you priests and servants of the Lord, bless the Lord! * Exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages! [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heirmos (not metered). Mode 4.

Τὸν ἄσπορον τόκον σου.

O immaculate Theotokos, with never silent hymns we magnify Christ our God, the Son you bore without seed. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You 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.

Exaposteilaria. For the Blindman.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 2. When You had slumbered.

The eyes of my noetic soul * have become blind, O loving Lord, * because of dark and sinful deeds. * O Savior, lead me to the light; * implant in me humility, Master, and purify me * with tears of repentance. [SD]

Another.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Our Savior once was passing by, * and found a man who was born blind. * He spat on the ground and made clay * of the saliva, anointing * his eyes with it and sent him to * the pool of Siloam to wash. * So he went and washed and came back * seeing Your light, O Christ my God. [SD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 1.

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.

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

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

Hide Stichologia

From Pentecostarion - - -

Resurrectional Stichera.

Mode pl. 1.

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

The sepulcher was firmly sealed by villains, O Lord. But You came forth from the tomb, much like You were born from the Theotokos. Your bodiless Angels did not know how You became incarnate, and the soldiers who were guarding You did not notice when You rose. Both of these miracles were confirmed to the prophets who inquired and revealed to them, who by faith revered the mystery. Which we now extol; and we pray You restore to us the joy and the great mercy. [GOASD]

Mode pl. 1.

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

When You had crushed the age-old bars and broken the chains to pieces, You rose from the tomb, O Lord. And You left the grave clothes behind, as evidence that You were truly buried for three days. And You proceeded to Galilee, You who had been held in custody in a rock-hewn tomb. Great is Your mercy, incomprehensible Savior! Have mercy on us. [GOASD]

Mode pl. 1.

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

The women ran to the tomb, O Lord, to see You, the Christ, who had suffered for us. When they came, they found an Angel sitting on the stone, which he had fearsomely rolled back. And he said to the women, “The Lord has risen! Go tell His disciples, ‘The Savior of our souls has risen from the dead!’” [GOASD]

Mode pl. 1.

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

O Lord, just like You exited the sepulcher, although it was sealed, so You entered where Your disciples were, the doors being shut. You showed them the injuries You suffered on Your body, which You accepted and bore with long-suffering, O Savior. As the progeny of David, You endured the wounds; as the Son of God, You freed the world. Great is Your mercy, incomprehensible Savior! Have mercy on us. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. For the Blindman.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Who can speak of Your mighty works, O Christ, or enumerate Your many miracles? You appeared on earth in two natures, in Your goodness; and You likewise granted twofold cures to the sick. For example, You opened not only the bodily eyes of the man born blind, but also the eyes of his soul. And for this he confessed You to be God, though concealed, who grants to all the great mercy. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha. For the Blindman.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Devout and God-bearing father.

Those who were well versed * in the Laws that Moses gave to them, * observing on the Sabbath the glowing light of the man * born blind, and how he shined when Jesus had healed him, * seeing only shadows were willfully blind, * not knowing that the laws were obscured by a shadow. * Therefore they did not discern the Lord, * who by a word made both the Sabbath and the light, * and, through a new working in clay with His saliva * followed by washing, gave the Blindman eyes and vision. * Now let us join with him, that we, too, may see God himself, * and thus with superior vision, * we may avoid the blindness of the Pharisses. [SD]

Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me. [SAAS]

Morning has risen * for the Blindman, who endured much pain * and passed his days in blindness, like darkness of the night; * when he went and washed in the pool of Siloam, * at the divine command, his eyes received sight. * Now he is seen to be a newly shining day star, * and he reproves the lawyers and the Scribes, * for being still in the dark night-producing fog; * and he illumines the moonless night of their blindness, * with his enlightened words like luminous effusions. * Of old, the shadow of the letter made us blind to it; * now the Logos gives us His brilliant * divine illuminations, and with new eyes we see. [SD]

Verse: Direct my steps according to Your teaching. [SAAS]

That former blind man, * without vision from the time of birth, * was blind in every way, both in his body and his soul, * then enlightened by the light of divine knowledge, * he reached the height of most luminous ascent; * for he was completely illumined by the Logos * and recognized Him to be indeed * Maker of all, Maker of light, Giver of light, * who rose in splendor from the tomb on the third day * and brightened all the earth by His resurrection; * from which the light of our refashioning has shone on all * who were captives and held in darkness, * for He is compassionate and very merciful. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

In Your tender mercy, You became incarnate, O Christ our God. And thus, in Your ineffable compassion, You granted divine luster to the man who from his mother’s womb was deprived of sight, when using Your creative fingers You anointed his eyes with clay. We entreat You, O Giver of light, to also illumine the senses of our souls, for You are the ultimate source of abundant blessings. [GOASD]

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode pl. 1. Automelon.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As the Father and Spirit are unoriginate, * so the Word, who was born from the Virgin for us. * Let us praise Him, O believers, and let us worship Him. * For our salvation He was pleased * to be crucified in the flesh, * and to undergo death, * and to resurrect the dead, by His glorious resurrection. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Hail, gate of the Lord, through which no man has passed! * Wall and shelter of all who rely on you, rejoice! * Port and haven undisturbed by any tempest, rejoice! * You gave birth to your Creator and God in the flesh, * ever remaining a virgin. * Never cease interceding for us who worship and extol your Son. [GOASD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

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

or:

Dismissal

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, 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…”

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!