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Βιβλία - Πηγαί	Books - Sources
Μηναῖον - Τῌ ΚΔʹ ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ	Menaion - June 24
Τὸ Γενέσιον τοῦ Τιμίου Προδρόμου	The Birth of the Holy Forerunner
__________	__________

ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ	VESPERS
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τοῦ Προοιμιακοῦ Ψαλμοῦ.	Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.
Καθʼ ὃν δὲ χρόνον ἀναγινώσκεται ὁ Προοιμιακὸς Ψαλμός, ὁ Ἱερεύς, πρὸ τῆς ἁγίας Τραπέζης ἱστάμενος, ἀναγινώσκει τὰς λεγομένας εὐχὰς τοῦ Λυχνικοῦ.	While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.	Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.
Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.	Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.
Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτῷ, Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.	Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.
Ψαλμὸς ΡΓʹ (103).	Psalm 103 (104).
Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα. Ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ μεγαλοπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω, ἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον. Ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέῤῥιν, ὁ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερῷα αὐτοῦ. Ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων. Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς Ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα. Ὁ θεμελιῶν τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἄβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα. Ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν. Ἀναβαίνουσιν ὄρη, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά. Ὅριον ἔθου, ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γῆν. Ὁ ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀναμέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα· ποτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν. Ἐπʼ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν. Ποτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ. Ὁ ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι, καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου. Τοῦ ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει. Χορτασθήσονται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου, ἃς ἐφύτευσας. Ἐκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ κατοικία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν. Ὄρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς λαγωοῖς. Ἐποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιρούς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ, ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ. Σκύμνοι ὠρυόμενοι τοῦ ἁρπάσαι, καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς. Ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ συνήχθησαν, καὶ εἰς τὰς μάνδρας αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται. Ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας. Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας, ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου. Αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἐκεῖ ἑρπετὰ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ζῷα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων. Ἐκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος, ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῇ. Πάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν εἰς εὔκαιρον, δόντος σου αὐτοῖς συλλέξουσιν. Ἀνοίξαντός σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος, ἀποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ταραχθήσονται. Ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι, καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν. Ἐξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα σου, καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς. Ἤτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων, καὶ καπνίζονται. ᾌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω. Ἡδυνθείη αὐτῷ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ. Ἐκλείποιεν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς. Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον.	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.
Ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ.	The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε· πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.	O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.	Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός. (3)	Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.	Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.
ΤΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΑ	THE PEACE LITANY
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	In peace let us pray to the Lord.
c1011 - GTheodoridis/ c1012 - SDedes/ c1011.a1 - GTheodoridis/	c1011 - SDedes/ c1232 - GTheodoridis/ c2268 - Thyateira/ c1232 - GTheodoridis/ c2268 - Thyateira/ c4321 - Choral/ c1232.a1 - GTheodoridis/
ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)	CHOIR (after each petition)
Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	Lord, have mercy.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	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.
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	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.
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν γένους, τοῦ Προέδρου, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν τῷ κράτει ἡμῶν, καὶ τοῦ κατὰ ξηράν, θάλασσαν καὶ ἀέρα φιλοχρίστου ἡμῶν στρατοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
Ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, τῆς Ἱερᾶς ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, [τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως ταύτης,] τῆς πόλεως καὶ κοινότητος ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	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.
Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	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.
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.	Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.	CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
ΧΟΡΟΣ	CHOIR
Ἦχος δʹ.	Mode 4.
c1014 - Petros-Ioannis \| GTheodoridis/ c1015 - Concise \| GTheodoridis/ c1011 - JVelon/ c1012 - JVelon/	c1111 - SDedes \| GCremeens/ c1112 - Concise \| SDedes/ c1111 - SDedes/ c1112 - Concise \| SDedes/ c1111.a1 - SDedes/Eikona

Κύριε ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κύριε, ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου· πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σέ. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.	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]
c1014 - Petros-Ioannis \| GTheodoridis/	c1111 - SDedes \| GCremeens/ c1111 - SDedes/ c1111.a1 - SDedes/Eikona

Κατευθυνθήτω ἡ προσευχή μου, ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου, ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινή. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.	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]
Δείξε Στιχολογίαν	Show Stichologia
c1014 - Petros-Ioannis \| GTheodoridis/	c1111 - GCremeens/
Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου.	Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.
Μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς λόγους πονηρίας, τοῦ προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις ἐν ἁμαρτίαις.	Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
Σὺν ἀνθρώποις ἐργαζομένοις τὴν ἀνομίαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ συνδυάσω μετὰ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτῶν.	With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.
Παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει, καὶ ἐλέγξει με, ἔλαιον δὲ ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ λιπανάτω τὴν κεφαλήν μου.	The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
Ὅτι ἔτι καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου ἐν ταῖς εὐδοκίαις αὐτῶν· κατεπόθησαν ἐχόμενα πέτρας οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῶν.	For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.
Ἀκούσονται τὰ ῥήματά μου, ὅτι ἡδύνθησαν· ὡσεὶ πάχος γῆς ἐῤῥάγη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, διεσκορπίσθη τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὸν ᾅδην.	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.
Ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου· ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, μὴ ἀντανέλῃς τὴν ψυχήν μου.	For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.
Φύλαξόν με ἀπὸ παγίδος ἧς συνεστήσαντό μοι, καὶ ἀπὸ σκανδάλων τῶν ἐργαζομένων τὴν ἀνομίαν.	Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.
Πεσοῦνται ἐν ἀμφιβλήστρῳ αὐτῶν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί· κατὰ μόνας εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ἕως ἂν παρέλθω.	Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.
Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην.	I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.
Ἐκχεῶ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλῖψίν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ.	I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.
Ἐν τῷ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου.	When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.
Ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ, ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι.	For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.
Κατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιά, καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με.	I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.
Ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.	Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.
Ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, Κύριε· εἶπα· Σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου εἶ ἐν γῇ ζώντων.	I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”
Πρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα.	Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.
Ῥῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.	Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου.	Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.
Ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὗ ἀνταποδῷς μοι.	The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.
Κρύψε Στιχολογίαν	Hide Stichologia

Ἰδιόμελα. Τοῦ Προδρόμου.	Idiomela. For the Forerunner.
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σοι, Κύριε· Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου.	Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. [SAAS]
Λύει τοῦ Ζαχαρίου τὴν σιωπήν, γεννηθεὶς ὁ Ἰωάννης· καὶ γὰρ οὐδὲ ἔπρεπε τὸν πατέρα σιωπᾶν, προελθούσης τῆς φωνῆς· ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἀπιστηθεῖσα πρώην, τὴν γλῶτταν ἔδησεν, οὕτω φανερωθεῖσαν, δοῦναι τῷ πατρὶ τὴν ἐλευθερίαν· ᾧ καὶ εὐηγγελίσθη, καὶ ἐγεννήθη φωνὴ τοῦ Λόγου, καὶ φωτὸς Πρόδρομος, πρεσβεύων ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.	When John was born, he broke the silence of Zacharias. For it was no longer fitting that the father be unable to speak, once he, the voice, had come forth. When at first it was doubted, it tied the tongue; now that it has shouted, it became him to release his father. He announced to him the good news, and he became the voice of the Word, the Forerunner of the Light. And he intercedes for our souls. [SD]
Γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου.	Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. [SAAS]
Λύει τοῦ Ζαχαρίου τὴν σιωπήν, γεννηθεὶς ὁ Ἰωάννης· καὶ γὰρ οὐδὲ ἔπρεπε τὸν πατέρα σιωπᾶν, προελθούσης τῆς φωνῆς· ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἀπιστηθεῖσα πρώην, τὴν γλῶτταν ἔδησεν, οὕτω φανερωθεῖσαν, δοῦναι τῷ πατρὶ τὴν ἐλευθερίαν· ᾧ καὶ εὐηγγελίσθη, καὶ ἐγεννήθη φωνὴ τοῦ Λόγου, καὶ φωτὸς Πρόδρομος, πρεσβεύων ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.	When John was born, he broke the silence of Zacharias. For it was no longer fitting that the father be unable to speak, once he, the voice, had come forth. When at first it was doubted, it tied the tongue; now that it has shouted, it became him to release his father. He announced to him the good news, and he became the voice of the Word, the Forerunner of the Light. And he intercedes for our souls. [SD]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε Κύριε, τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν.	If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
Σήμερον ἡ φωνὴ τοῦ Λόγου, τὴν φωνὴν διʼ ἀπιστίαν κρατουμένην, λύει τὴν πατρικήν, καὶ τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἐμφαίνει τὴν εὐτεκνίαν, δεσμὰ τῆς στειρώσεως λύουσα μητρικά· ὁ λύχνος τοῦ φωτὸς προέρχεται· ἡ αὐγὴ τοῦ ἡλίου τῆς δικαιοσύνης, μηνύει τὴν ἔλευσιν, εἰς ἀνάπλασιν πάντων, καὶ σωτηρίαν τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.	Today, the Voice of the Logos releases his father’s voice, which had been restrained because of disbelief. And he breaks his mother’s bonds of barrenness, and thus indicates that the Church will have many children. The lamp of the Light comes forth, the dawn announces the coming of the Sun of righteousness, for the re-formation of all and the salvation of our souls. [SD]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὑπέμεινά σε, Κύριε, ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου. Ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.	Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
Θεοῦ Λόγου μέλλοντος ἐκ Παρθένου τίκτεσθαι, Ἄγγελος ἐκ στειρωτικῶν ὠδίνων προέρχεται, ὁ μέγας ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν, καὶ Προφήτου περισσότερος· ἔδει γάρ θείων πραγμάτων, παραδόξους εἶναι τὰς ἀρχάς· παρʼ ἡλικίαν τὸ γόνιμον, καὶ ἄνευ σπορᾶς σύλληψις. Ὁ ποιῶν θαυμάσια, εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.	When the Logos of God was going to be born of a Virgin, a Messenger came forth from a barren womb, yes, that great one of those born of women and more than a prophet. It was right that the beginnings of things divine be extraordinary: pregnancy past childbearing age ushers in conception without seed. O God who does wonders for our salvation, glory to You! [SD]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας μέχρι νυκτός· ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.	From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
Ἐπέφανε σήμερον ὁ μέγας Πρόδρομος, ἐξ ἀγόνων λαγόνων, τῆς Ἐλισάβετ προελθών, ὁ μείζων πάντων τῶν Προφητῶν Προφήτης, οὗ ἕτερος οὐκ ἔστιν, οὐδὲ ἐγήγερται· ὅτι τῷ Προδρόμῳ λύχνῳ, τὸ φῶς ἀκολουθεῖ τὸ ὑπέρλαμπρον καὶ τῇ φωνῇ ὁ Λόγος, καὶ τῷ νυμφαγωγῷ ὁ νυμφίος, κατασκευάζοντι Κυρίῳ λαὸν περιούσιον, καὶ προκαθαίροντι ἐπὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα διὰ τοῦ ὕδατος, τοῦ Ζαχαρίου ὁ βλαστός, καὶ τῆς ἐρήμου τὸ κάλλιστον θρέμμα, τῆς μετανοίας ὁ κήρυξ, ἡ κάθαρσις τῶν ἀμπλακημάτων, ὁ τοῖς ἐν ᾍδῃ εὐαγγελιζόμενος, τὴν ἐκ νεκρῶν Ἀνάστασιν, καὶ πρεσβεύων ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.	Today the great Forerunner comes from the barren womb of Elizabeth; ⁄ the great prophet of prophets, none greater than he! ⁄ The radiant candlestick of the Light; the voice of the Word, ⁄ the friend of the Bridegroom, preparing the Lord’s chosen people ⁄ by purifying them with water before the coming of the Spirit. ⁄ The flower of the desert, the preacher of repentance, ⁄ the purification of transgressions. ⁄ He announced the Resurrection even to those in hell, ⁄⁄ and he always prays for our souls. [OCA]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρʼ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις, καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ.	For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
Προφήτης καὶ Πρόδρομος, ἀπὸ γαστρὸς ἀνεδείχθης τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰωάννη, σκιρτῶν καὶ ἀγαλλόμενος, ἐν τῇ νηδύϊ τῆς μητρός, ὁρῶν τὴν Βασιλίδα ἐλθοῦσαν πρὸς τὴν δούλην, φέρουσαν τὸν ἄχρονον, καὶ ἐκ Πατρὸς ἀμήτορα, πρὸς σὲ τὸν ἐκ στείρας, καὶ τοῦ πρεσβύτου κατʼ ἐπαγγελίαν ἀνατείλαντα. Αὐτὸν ἱκέτευε, ἐλεηθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.	Today the prophet and Forerunner appears from the womb: ⁄ John the baptizer of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁄ When he saw the Queen come to her servant, ⁄ bearing in her womb the timeless God, ⁄⁄ he leaped in his mother’s womb and sang for joy! [OCA]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτόν, πάντες οἱ λαοί.	Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύματος, ὁ τῷ λόγῳ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μὴ πεισθείς, λέγοντος· Ὅτι συλλήψεται ἡ Ἐλισάβετ, καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, ὁ λέγων· Πῶς αὕτη τέξεται; ὅτι κἀγὼ προέβην, κἀκείνης τὰ μέλη νενέκρωται, ὁ καταδικασθεὶς σιωπᾶν διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν, σήμερον ὁρᾷ τικτόμενον το ἐπαγγελθέν, καὶ σιωπῆς λυθείς, εὐφροσύνην εἰσοικίζει. Εὐλογητὸς βοῶν Κύριος, ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο, καὶ ἐποίησε λύτρωσιν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ, ὁ παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.	Most glorious wonder! ⁄ Zachariah asked the angel of the Word: ⁄ How can Elizabeth conceive and bear a son? ⁄ I am an old man; my wife is advanced in years. ⁄ For his unbelief, he was condemned to silence, ⁄ but today he beholds the birth and resumes his speech, ⁄ entering into joy and crying out: ⁄ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, ⁄ for He has visited and redeemed His people, ⁄ granting to the world great mercy! [OCA]
Ἰδιόμελον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.	For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
Ἰωάννη πανεύφημε, καὶ οἰκουμενικὲ Ἀπόστολε, τὸ τοῦ Γαβριὴλ εὐαγγέλιον, καὶ τῆς στείρας τὸ βλάστημα, καὶ τῆς ἐρήμου τὸ κάλλιστον θρέμμα, καὶ γνήσιε φίλε τοῦ νυμφίου Χριστοῦ, αὐτὸν ἱκέτευε, ἐλεηθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἤμων.	John most praised, universal apostle! ⁄ The good news of Gabriel, the fruit of barrenness! ⁄ The holy and righteous flower of the desert! ⁄ The beloved friend of the Bridegroom Christ! ⁄⁄ Pray to Him to save our souls. [OCA]
Δόξα.	Glory.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.	Mode pl. 2.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Σήμερον τοῦ φωτὸς ὁ λύχνος, προοδοποιεῖται τὴν ἔλευσιν Θεοῦ τοῦ Λόγου ὡς ἀστὴρ φαεινός. Σήμερον Ζαχαρίας γλῶτταν ἐτράνωσε, σιωπὴν ἐξασκήσας, Ἀγγέλου προστάξαντος· ἔπρεπε γὰρ οὕτω, τὸν πατέρα τῆς φωνῆς, μὴ σιωπὴν φυλάττειν, προελθούσης ἐκ γαστρὸς στειρωτικῆς, καὶ παντὸς τοῦ κόσμου τὴν λύτρωσιν εὐαγγελιζομένης, ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ πολλῇ.	Today, like a shining star, the lamp of the Light prepares the way for the coming of God the Logos. Today, Zacharias found his tongue, after exercising silence at the Angel’s command. For it was fitting that the father of the voice no longer keep silent, once the voice came forth from the once barren womb, that voice which would proclaim the good news of the deliverance of the whole world, with great outspokenness. [SD]
Καὶ νῦν.	Both now.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.	Mode pl. 2.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Ἡ Ἐλισάβετ συνέλαβε τὸν Πρόδρομον τῆς χάριτος, ἡ δὲ Παρθένος τὸν Κύριον τῆς δόξης. Ἠσπάσαντο ἀλλήλας αἱ μητέρες, καὶ τὸ βρέφος ἐσκίρτησεν· ἔνδοθεν γὰρ ὁ δοῦλος ᾔνει τὸν Δεσπότην. Θαυμάσασα ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Προδρόμου, ἤρξατο βοᾷν· Πόθεν μοι τοῦτο, ἵνα ἡ Μήτηρ τοῦ Κυρίου μου ἔλθῃ πρός με; ἵνα σώσῃ λαὸν ἀπεγνωσμένον. Ὁ ἔχων τὸ μέγα ἔλεος, δόξα σοι.	Elizabeth had conceived the Forerunner of grace; the Virgin conceived the Lord of glory. The mothers greeted each other, and the babe leaped for joy; for even in the womb, the servant extolled the Master. The mother of the Forerunner marveled, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” That He might save a people in despair. O Lord, who have the great mercy, glory to You! [SD]
Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν Εἴσοδον.	Stand for the Entrance.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)	DEACON (in a low voice)
Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.	Let us pray to the Lord.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)	PRIEST (in a low voice)
ΕΥΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΙΣΟΔΟΥ	ENTRANCE PRAYER
Ἑσπέρας καὶ πρωῒ καὶ μεσημβρίας αἰνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν, εὐχαριστοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθά σου, Δέσποτα τῶν ἁπάντων, φιλάνθρωπε Κύριε. Κατεύθυνον τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν εἰς λόγους ἢ εἰς λογισμοὺς πονηρίας, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἐκ πάντων τῶν θηρευόντων τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν· ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ σοὶ ἠλπίσαμεν· μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν.	In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Σοφία. Ὀρθοί.	Wisdom. Arise.
ΚΛΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΣ	CLERGY AND PEOPLE
Ἦχος βʹ.	Mode 2.
c1011 - Σακελλαρίδης \| SApostolou/ c1012 - Σακελλαρίδης \| B. Kiamilidis/ c1013 - JVelon/	c1211 - SDedes/ c2251 - R Barrett/ c1211 - SDedes/ c1211.a1 - SDedes/
Φῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς· * διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.	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]
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἑσπέρας προκείμενον.	The evening Prokeimenon!
ΧΟΡΟΣ	CHOIR
Προκείμενον. Ἦχος δʹ.	Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
c1012 - B Kiamilidis/ c1011 - JVelon/	c1111 - GCremeens/ c1111 - GCremeens \| SDedes/
Κύριος εἰσακούσεταί μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς αὐτόν. (δίς)	The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. (2) [SAAS]
Στίχ. Ἐν τῷ ἐπικαλεῖσθαί με εἰσήκουσάς μου, ὁ Θεὸς τῆς δικαιοσύνης μου, ἐν θλίψει ἐπλάτυνάς με.	Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress.
Κύριος εἰσακούσεταί μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς αὐτόν.	The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
Τὰ Ἀναγνώσματα	The Readings
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Γενέσεως τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.	The reading is from the book of Genesis.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.	Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Γεν ΙΖʹ, 15 – 17, 19· ΙΗʹ, 11 – 14· ΚΑʹ, 1 – 2, 4 – 8	Gn 17:15 – 17, 19; 18:11a, 12 – 14a; 21:1 – 2, 4 – 8
Εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἀβραάμ. Σάρα ἡ γυνή σου, οὐ κληθήσεται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς Σάρα, ἀλλὰ Σάῤῥα ἔσται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς. Εὐλογήσω δὲ αὐτήν, καὶ δώσω σοι ἐξ αὐτῆς τέκνον, καὶ εὐλογησω αὐτό, καὶ ἔσται εἰς ἔθνη, καὶ βασιλεῖς ἐθνῶν ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἐξελεύσονται. Καὶ ἔπεσεν Ἀβραὰμ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐγέλασε, καὶ εἶπεν ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ αὐτοῦ, λέγων. Εἰ τῷ ἑκατονταετεῖ γεννήσεται υἱός; καὶ εἰ ἡ Σάῤῥα ἐννενήκοντα ἐτῶν οὖσα τέξεται; Εἶπε δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἀβραάμ. Ναί, Ἰδοὺ Σάῤῥα ἡ γυνή σου τέξεταί σοι υἱόν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰσαάκ, καὶ στήσω τὴν διαθήκην μου πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς διαθήκην αἰώνιον, Ἀβραὰμ δὲ καὶ Σάῤῥα πρεσβύτεροι προβεβηκότες ἡμερῶν. Ἐγέλασε δὲ Σάῤῥα ἐν ἑαυτῇ λέγουσα· Οὔπω μέν μοι γέγονεν ἕως τοῦ νῦν, ὁ δὲ κύριός μου πρεσβύτερος. Καὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἀβραάμ. Τί ὅτι ἐγέλασε Σάῤῥα ἐν ἑαυτῇ λέγουσα· Ἆρά γε ἀληθῶς τέξομαι; ἐγὼ δὲ γεγήρακα, μὴ ἀδυνατήσῃ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ πᾶν ῥῆμα; Καὶ Κύριος ἐπεσκέψατο τὴν Σάῤῥαν, καθὰ ἐλάλησε, καὶ συλλαβοῦσα, ἔτεκε τῷ Ἀβραὰμ υἱὸν εἰς τὸ γῆρας, εἰς τὸν καιρόν, καθὰ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ Κύριος. Περιέτεμε δὲ αὐτὸν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόη, καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεός. Καὶ Ἀβραὰμ ἦν ἐτῶν ἑκατόν, ἡνίκα ἐγένετο αὐτῷ Ἰσαὰκ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ. Εἶπε δὲ Σάῤῥα· Γέλωτά μοι ἐποίησε Κύριος· ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἀκούσῃ συγχαρεῖταί μοι. Καὶ εἶπε. Τίς ἀναγγελεῖ τῷ Ἀβραάμ, ὅτι θηλάζει παιδίον Σάῤῥα, ὅτι ἔτεκον υἱὸν ἐν τῷ γήρᾳ μου; Καὶ ηὐξήθη τὸ παιδίον, καὶ ἀπεγαλακτίσθη· καὶ ἐποίησεν Ἀβραὰμ δοχήν μεγάλην, ᾗ ἡμέρα ἀπεγαλακτίσθη Ἰσαὰκ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ.	Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; and I will bless him, and he shall become nations; and kings of peoples shall be from him.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his mind, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old, and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” Then God said, “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “I have not yet had a child until now, and my lord is old also?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh within herself, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything impossible with God?” Now the Lord visited Sarah as He said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in old age, at the set time, of which God had spoken to him. She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne a child in my old age.” So the child grew and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the same day Isaac was weaned. [SAAS]
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Κριτῶν τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.	The reading is from the book of Judges.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.	Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Κρ ΙΓʹ, 2 – 8, 13 – 14, 17 – 18, 21	Jdg 13:2 – 5a, 6a, 7 – 8, 13 – 14a, 17 – 18, 21a
Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς τοῦ Δάν, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μανωέ, καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ στεῖρα, καὶ οὐκ ἔτικτε. Καὶ ὤφθη Ἄγγελος Κυρίου πρός τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτήν· Ἰδοὺ σὺ στεῖρα, καὶ οὐ τέτοκας, καὶ συλλήψῃ υἱόν. Καὶ νῦν φύλαξαι δή, καὶ μὴ πίῃς οἶνον καὶ σίκερα, καὶ μὴ φάγῃς πᾶν ἀκάθαρτον. Ὅτι ἰδοὺ σὺ ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξεις, καὶ τέξῃ υἱόν, καὶ σίδηρος οὐκ ἀναβήσεται ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι Ναζηραῖον τῷ Θεῷ ἔσται τὸ παιδάριον ἀπό τῆς γαστρός. Καὶ ἦλθεν ἡ γυνή, καὶ εἶπε τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς, λέγουσα· Ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἦλθε πρός με, καὶ ἡ ὅρασις αὐτοῦ ὡς ὅρασις Ἀγγέλου τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐπιφανὴς σφόδρα, καὶ εἶπεν· Ἰδοὺ σὺ ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξεις, καὶ τέξῃ υἱόν, καὶ νῦν φύλαξαι, καὶ μὴ πίῃς οἶνον καὶ σίκερα, καὶ μὴ φάγῃς πᾶν ἀκάθαρτον, ὅτι Ναζηραῖον Θεοῦ ἔσται τὸ παιδάριον ἀπὸ γαστρός, ἕως ἡμέρας θανάτου αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἐδεήθη Μανωὲ τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ εἶπεν· Ἐν ἐμοί, Κύριε, ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὃν ἀπέστειλας, ἐλθέτω δὴ ἔτι πρὸς ἡμᾶς, καὶ φωτισάτω ἡμᾶς, τί ποιήσωμεν τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ τικτομένῳ. Ἦλθε δὲ ὁ Ἄγγελος πρὸς Μανωὲ καὶ εἶπεν· Ἀπὸ πάντων ὧν εἶπον πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκά σου, φυλαξάσθω. Ἀπὸ παντός, ὃ ἐκπορεύεται ἐξ ἀμπέλου, οὐ φάγεται, καὶ οἶνον καὶ σίκερα μὴ πιέτω. Καὶ εἶπε Μανωὲ πρὸς τὸν Ἄγγελον Κυρίου. Τί ὄνομά σοι; ἵνα ὅταν ἔλθῃ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, δοξάσωμέν σε. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἄγγελος Κυρίου. Ἴνα τί ἐρωτᾷς τὸ ὄνομά μου; καὶ αὐτὸ ἐστι θαυμαστόν. Καὶ οὐ προσέθηκεν ἔτι ὁ Ἄγγελος Κυρίου ὀφθῆναι πρὸς Μανωέ, καὶ πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ.	Now there was a certain man from Zorah, from the tribe of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and could not give birth. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have not given birth, but you shall conceive a son. Now therefore, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean. For behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb.” So the woman went in and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His appearance was like the appearance of an Angel of God, very frightening. And He said to me, ‘Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. Now drink no wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, for the child shall be holy to God from the womb to the day of his death.’” Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “Lord Adonai, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.” So the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “The woman will guard herself from everything I have told her. She may not eat anything that comes from the vine of wine, and let her not drink wine or similar strong drink, nor eat anything unclean.” Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, so when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, is it extraordinary?” When the Angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, Manoah knew this to be the Angel of the Lord. [SAAS]
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Προφητείας Ἠσαΐου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.	The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.	Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Ησ 40, 1 καὶ ἐκλογή	Is 40:1 – 5, 9; 41:17b – 18; 45:8; 48:20b – 21a; 54:1
Τάδε λέγει Κύριος· Παρακαλεῖτε, παρακαλεῖτε τὸν λαόν μου, λέγει ὁ Θεός. Οἱ Ἱερεῖς λαλήσατε εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ἱερουσαλήμ. Παρακαλέσατε αὐτήν, ὅτι ἐπλήσθη ἡ ταπείνωσις αὐτῆς· λέλυται γὰρ αὐτῆς ἡ ἁμαρτία, ὅτι ἐδέξατο ἐκ χειρὸς Κυρίου διπλᾶ τὰ ἁμαρτήματα αὐτῆς. Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. Πᾶσα φάραγξ πληρωθήσεται, καὶ πᾶν ὄρος καὶ βουνὸς ταπεινωθήσεται, καὶ ἔσται τὰ σκολιὰ εἰς εὐθεῖαν, καὶ αἱ τραχεῖαι εἰς ὁδοὺς λείας, καὶ ὄψεται πᾶσα σάρξ τὸ σωτήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἐπʼ ὄρους ὑψηλοῦ ἀνάβηθι ὁ εὐαγγελιζόμενος Σιών, ὕψωσον ἐν ἰσχύϊ τὴν φωνήν σου ὁ εὐαγγελιζόμενος Ἱερουσαλήμ, ὑψώσατε, μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεός, ἐγὼ ἐπακούσομαι, ὁ Θεός, Ἰσραήλ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψω αὐτούς, ἀλλὰ ἀνοίξω ἐκ τῶν ὀρέων ποταμούς, καὶ ἐν μέσῳ πεδίων πηγάς. Ποιήσω τὴν ἔρημον εἰς ἕλη, καὶ τὴν διψῶσαν γῆν ἐν ὑδραγωγοῖς. Εὐφρανθήτω ὁ οὐρανὸς ἄνωθεν, καὶ νεφέλαι ῥανάτωσαν δικαιοσύνην. Ἀνατειλάτω ἡ γῆ, καὶ βλαστησάτω ἔλεος καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἀνατειλάτω ἅμα. Φωνὴν εὐφροσύνης ἀναγγείλατε ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἀκουστὸν γενέσθω τοῦτο. Λέγετε ὅτι ἐῤῥύσατο Κύριος τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ Ἰακώβ. Καὶ ἐὰν διψήσωσι διʼ ἐρήμων, ἐξάξει αὐτοῖς ὕδωρ ἐκ πέτρας. Εὐφράνθητι στεῖρα ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα, ῥῆξον καὶ βοήθησον ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα, ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον, ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα.	Thus says the Lord: “Comfort, yes, comfort My people,” says God. “O priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem, comfort her, for her humiliation is ended, her sin is pardoned; for she received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins.” The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill humbled; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places into plains. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God; for the Lord has spoken.” O you who bring good tidings to Zion, go into the high mountain; O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God.” I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. But I will open rivers in the mountain and fountains in the midst of the plains. I will make the desert into marsh-meadows, and the dry land into aqueducts. Let heaven above be glad, and let the clouds sprinkle righteousness. Let the earth bring forth mercy and righteousness together. Proclaim a voice of gladness and let it become well known. Proclaim it to the end of the earth, and say, “The Lord delivered His servant Jacob.” If they shall thirst, He will lead them through the desert, and water shall flow from the rock for them. Be glad, O barren woman who does not bear; break forth and cry out, you who are not in travail, for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman. [SAAS]
Η ΕΚΤΕΝΗΣ	LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Εἴπωμεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ἡμῶν εἴπωμεν.	Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Κύριε παντοκράτορ, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.	Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.	Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)	CHOIR (after each petition)
Κύριε, ἐλέησον. (3)	Lord, have mercy. (3)
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν.	Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος).	Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν τῶν ἱερέων, ἱερομονάχων, διακόνων καὶ μοναχῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἡμῶν ἀδελφότητος.	Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ ἐλέους, ζωῆς, εἰρήνης, ὑγείας, σωτηρίας, ἐπισκέψεως, συγχωρήσεως καὶ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῶν δούλων τοῦ Θεοῦ, πάντων τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τῶν κατοικούντων καὶ παρεπιδημούντων ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ, τῶν ἐνοριτῶν, ἐπιτρόπων, συνδρομητῶν καὶ ἀφιερωτῶν τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας ταύτης.	Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπέρ τῶν μακαρίων καὶ ἀειμνήστων κτιτόρων τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας (ἢ τῆς ἁγίας μονῆς) ταύτης καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων τῶν προαναπαυσαμένων πατέρων καὶ ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν, τῶν ἐνθάδε εὐσεβῶς κειμένων καὶ ἁπανταχοῦ ὀρθοδόξων.	Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.
Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν καρποφορούντων καὶ καλλιεργούντων ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ πανσέπτῳ ναῷ τούτῳ, κοπιώντων, ψαλλόντων καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ περιεστῶτος λαοῦ, τοῦ ἀπεκδεχομένου τὸ παρὰ σοῦ μέγα καὶ πλούσιον ἔλεος.	Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	For You are merciful 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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ	CHOIR
Ἀμήν.	Amen.
Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῆς εὐχῆς.	Stand for the reading of prayer.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	READER
Καταξίωσον, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἑσπέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀναμαρτήτους φυλαχθῆναι ἡμᾶς. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν, καὶ αἰνετὸν καὶ δεδοξασμένον τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν. Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καθάπερ ἠλπίσαμεν ἐπὶ σέ. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Δέσποτα, συνέτισόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, ἅγιε, φώτισόν με τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου. Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου μὴ παρίδῃς. Σοὶ πρέπει αἶνος, σοὶ πρέπει ὕμνος, σοὶ δόξα πρέπει, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )	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]
ΤΑ ΠΛΗΡΩΤΙΚΑ	LITANY OF COMPLETION
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Πληρώσωμεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.	Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.	Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.	That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)	CHOIR (after each petition)
Παράσχου, Κύριε.	Grant this, O Lord.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.	For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
Συγγνώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τῶν πλημμελημάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.	For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν καὶ εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.	For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
Τὸν ὑπόλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ μετανοίᾳ ἐκτελέσαι παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.	That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώδυνα, ἀνεπαίσχυντα, εἰρηνικὰ καὶ καλὴν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοβεροῦ βήματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ αἰτησώμεθα.	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.
Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.	CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ: Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.	PRIEST: Peace be with all.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου.	CHOIR: And with your spirit.
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ	DEACON
Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.	Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.	CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)	PRIEST (in a low voice)
Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κλίνας οὐρανοὺς καὶ καταβὰς ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τοῦ γένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἔπιδε ἐπί τοὺς δούλους σου καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν σου· σοὶ γὰρ τῷ φοβερῷ καὶ φιλανθρώπῳ κριτῇ οἱ σοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπέκλιναν τὰς κεφαλάς, τοὺς δὲ αὐτῶν ὑπέταξαν αὐχένας, οὐ τὴν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀναμένοντες βοήθειαν, ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν περιμένοντες ἔλεος καὶ τὴν σὴν ἀπεκδεχόμενοι σωτηρίαν· οὓς διαφύλαξον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ κατὰ τὴν παροῦσαν ἑσπέραν καὶ τὴν προσιοῦσαν νύκτα ἀπὸ παντὸς ἐχθροῦ, ἀπὸ πάσης ἀντικειμένης ἐνεργείας διαβολικῆς καὶ διαλογισμῶν ματαίων καὶ ἐνθυμήσεων πονηρῶν.	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.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (ἐκφώνως)	PRIEST (aloud)
Εἴη τὸ κράτος τῆς βασιλείας σου εὐλογημένον καὶ δεδοξασμένον, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
Ἀπόστιχα.	Aposticha.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἰδιόμελον Αʹ. Ἦχος βʹ.	Idiomelon 1. Mode 2.

Τὸν ἐκ Προφήτου Προφήτην, καὶ τῆς στείρας τὸ βλάστημα, τὸν ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν ὑπὲρ ἅπαντας, τὸν τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτην, Ἰωάννην τὸν ἔνδοξον, ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις, καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς εὐφημήσωμεν, βοῶντες πρὸς αὐτόν· Βαπτιστὰ τοῦ Σωτῆρος καὶ Πρόδρομε, ὡς ἔχων παῤῥησίαν, ἐν τῇ σεπτῇ σου γεννήσει, δυσώπησον Χριστόν, δωρηθῆναι εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.	Let us praise John with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs! ⁄ The prophet of prophets, the flower of barrenness! ⁄ The citizen of the desert, the greatest among those born of women! ⁄ Baptizer and Forerunner of the Savior, ⁄ since you have boldness before Christ in your birth, ⁄ entreat Him to grant peace to the world, ⁄⁄ and to our souls great mercy. [OCA]
Ἰδιόμελον Βʹ. Ἦχος βʹ.	Idiomelon 2. Mode 2.

Στίχ. Εὐλογητὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο καὶ ἐποίησε λύτρωσιν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ.	Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. [RSV]
Ἤλθεν ἡ φωνὴ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Λόγου, ὁ τοῦ ἡλίου κήρυξ, γεννηθεὶς σήμερον, ἐκ στείρας τῆς ἀγόνου ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας, Ἰωάννης ὁ Πρόδρομος, λαοὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε. Ἦλθεν εὐτρεπίσαι τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῖν τῆς σωτηρίας· ὃν καὶ σκιρτήσας προσεκύνησεν, ἐν τῇ νηδύϊ ὄντα τῆς μητρός, τὸν ἀμνὸν τὸν αἴροντα, τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ παρέχοντα ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.	The voice of the Word of grace has come: ⁄ The preacher of the Light of Light! ⁄ He is born from the barren womb of Elizabeth. ⁄ Rejoice, people; he comes, preparing the way of salvation for us. ⁄ He leaped in the womb and worshipped his Master: ⁄ the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, ⁄⁄ and grants us great mercy. [OCA]
Ἰδιόμελον Γʹ. Ἦχος βʹ.	Idiomelon 3. Mode 2.

Στίχ. Καὶ σύ, Παιδίον, Προφήτης Ὑψίστου κληθήσῃ· προπορεύσῃ γὰρ πρὸ προσώπου Κυρίου ἑτοιμάσαι ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ.	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]
Ὁ ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς ἁγιασθείς, καὶ τῆς προφητείας δεξάμενος τὸ πλήρωμα, σήμερον ἐκ στείρας γεγέννηται, τοῦ Κυρίου τὴν ἔλευσιν κηρύττων τρανῶς· Μετανοεῖτε· ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.	Today John blossoms from his mother’s barren womb! ⁄ He becomes the last of the prophets. ⁄ With boldness, he announces the coming of the Lord: ⁄⁄ Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand! [OCA]
Δόξα.	Glory.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.	Mode pl. 4.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Ἠσαΐου νῦν τοῦ Προφήτου ἡ φωνή, σήμερον ἐν τῇ τοῦ μείζονος Προφητῶν κυήσει Ἰωάννου πεπλήρωται. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ φησιν ἀποστελῶ τὸν Ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου. Οὗτος οὖν ὁ τοῦ ἐπουρανίου Βασιλέως στρατιώτης προδραμών, ὡς ἀληθῶς εὐθείας ἐποίει, τὰς τρίβους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἄνθρωπος μέν τῇ φύσει, Ἄγγελος δὲ τὸν βίον ὑπάρχων· ἁγνείαν γὰρ παντελῆ, καὶ σωφροσύνην ἀσπασάμενος, εἶχε μὲν τὸ κατὰ φύσιν, ἔφυγε δὲ τὸ παρὰ φύσιν, ὑπὲρ φύσιν ἀγωνισάμενος· Αὐτὸν ἅπαντες πιστοί, ἐν ἀρεταῖς μιμούμενοι, πρεσβεύειν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν δυσωπήσωμεν, εἰς τὸ σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.	The words of the Prophet Isaiah are fulfilled today with the birth of John who was greater than the prophets. For he said, “Behold, I will send my Messenger before you, who will prepare your way.” He who was the soldier of the heavenly King went ahead and truly made straight the highways of our God. He was a man by nature and an Angel in his way of life; for embracing complete chastity and self-restraint, he was in a state according to nature, and he rejected what was contrary to nature, and he strove to transcend nature. Come, all the faithful, let us emulate his virtues, and entreat him to intercede on our behalf, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]
Καὶ νῦν.	Both now.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἦχος πλ. δʹ. Ἰδιόμελον.	Mode pl. 4. Idiomelon.
	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/
Βλέπε τὴν Ἐλισάβετ, πρὸς τὴν Παρθένον Μαριὰμ διαλεγομένην· Τί παραγέγονας πρός με, ἡ Μήτηρ τοῦ Κυρίου μου; σὺ Βασιλέα βαστάζεις, κἀγὼ στρατιώτην, σὺ τὸν νομοδότην, κἀγὼ τὸν νομοθέτην, σὺ τὸν Λόγον, κἀγὼ τὴν φωνήν, τὴν κηρύξασαν τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.	Watch as Elizabeth speaks with the Virgin Mary: “Why have you come to me, O Mother of my Lord? You are carrying the King; I carry His soldier. You, the One who gave the Law; I the one who lays down the Law. You the Word; I His voice, which proclaims the kingdom of heaven.” [SD]
Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῶν εὐχῶν.	Stand for the reading of prayers
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
ᾨδὴν τοῦ Θεοδόχου Συμεών	Song of Simeon
Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, Δέσποτα, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, ἐν εἰρήνῃ· ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου, ὃ ἡτοίμασας κατὰ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν λαῶν· φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν, καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου Ἰσραήλ.	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]
ΛΑΟΣ	PEOPLE
Τρισάγιον.	Trisagion Prayers.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. (3)	Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.	Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν. Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν. Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.	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.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.	Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.	Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.	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.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
Ἀπολυτίκιον.	Apolytikion.
Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -	From Menaion - - -
Ἦχος δʹ. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.	Mode 4. Come quickly.
	Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
c1011 - NewByz/	c1212 - GRallis/ c1211 - SDedes/ c2001 - NewByz/
Προφῆτα καὶ Πρόδρομε, τῆς παρουσίας Χριστοῦ, ἀξίως εὐφημῆσαί σε οὐκ εὐποροῦμεν ἡμεῖς, οἱ πόθῳ τιμῶντές σε· στείρωσις γὰρ τεκούσης, καὶ πατρὸς ἀφωνία, λέλυνται τῇ ἐνδόξῳ, καὶ σεπτῇ σου γεννήσει, καὶ σάρκωσις Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, κόσμῳ κηρύττεται.	O Prophet and Forerunner of the appearance of Christ, * with longing we honor you, although we have not the means * of extolling you worthily. * Your birth, which was exalted * and most glorious, ended * the barrenness of your mother and the muteness of your father; * and unto the world it announced * the Incarnation of God the Word. [SD]
Δόξα· καὶ νῦν. Θεοτοκίον.	Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Τῆς Ὀκτωήχου - - -	From Octoechos - - -
Ἦχος δʹ.	Mode 4.
c1015 - Petros-Ioannis \| JM Boyer/ c1011 - Roubanis/	c1211 - SDedes/ c1211 - SDedes/ c1211.a1 - SDedes/ c1211.a2 - SDedes/Eikona
Τὸ ἀπʼ αἰῶνος ἀπόκρυφον, καὶ Ἀγγέλοις ἄγνωστον μυστήριον, διὰ σού Θεοτόκε τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς πεφανέρωται, Θεὸς ἐν ἀσυγχύτῳ ἑνώσει σαρκούμενος, καὶ Σταυρὸν ἑκουσίως ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν καταδεξάμενος· διʼ οὗ ἀναστήσας τὸν πρωτόπλαστον, ἔσωσεν ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.	O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [GOASD]
ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ: Σοφία.	DEACON: Wisdom.
ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ: Εὐλόγησον, δέσποτα.	READER: Master, give the blessing.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.	Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
ΠΡΟΕΣΤΩΣ ἢ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ	HIERARCH or READER
Στερεώσαι Κύριος ὁ Θεός τὴν ἁγίαν καὶ ἀμώμητον πίστιν τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν σὺν τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὐτοῦ Μεγάλῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ, τῇ ἱερᾷ ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ, [τῇ ἱερᾷ Μητροπόλει ταύτῃ] καὶ τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων.	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.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ	PRIEST
Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.	Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, οὗ καὶ τὸ Γενέσιον ἑορτάζομεν· τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ ἁγίου τοῦ ναοῦ)· τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.	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, whose Birth we celebrate; 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.
Διʼ εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.	Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.	CHOIR: Amen.