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Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - September 7

Forefeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos

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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.

Psalm 102.

Psalm 145.

The Beatitudes.

Mode 4.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Resurrectional.

From Octoechos - - -

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]

Adam fell by a tree, and he was evicted from Paradise. * By the tree of the Cross the Robber gained entrance to Paradise. * The former, by tasting fruit, disobeyed his Maker’s commandment not to eat. * The latter was crucified with Him, whom though hidden he confessed to be God. * Remember us as well in Your kingdom, O Savior. [SD]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]

You were lifted on the Cross and destroyed the power of death on us, * and You set aside the bond which stood against us and, as God, cancelled it. * Grant that we may also have the Robber’s repentance, O benevolent Lord. * We faithfully worship You, O Christ our God, and we cry aloud to You, * “Remember us as well in Your kingdom, O Savior.” [SD]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]

You have set aside the bond which stood against us, shredding it by Your Cross. * When You were numbered with the dead, You disarmed and bound the tyrant ruling there, * delivering everyone from the bonds of death by Your resurrection; * through which we were illumined. And we cry out to You, O benevolent Lord, * “Remember us as well in Your kingdom, O Savior.” [SD]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]

Theotokion.

O Christ our God, we present, as an intercessor to pray for us, * Your Virgin Mother who conceived without seed and physically gave birth to You, * and after the childbirth remained incorrupt, O most merciful Lord. * She prays that You always grant forgiveness of offenses to those who cry aloud, * “Remember us as well in Your kingdom, O Savior.” [SD]

Canon for the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode 4. N/M (O godly-minded believers.)

Τὴν θείαν ταύτην.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]

The Maiden Theotokos was born today. She is the bridge that conveys humanity to the light, the ladder to heaven, and the manifest mountain of God. Therefore let us call here blessed. [SD]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]

Anna is like a shell-fish that produces royal purple dye. For Mary’s blood will dye the wool of the incarnation of the King. Let us all extol her worthily. [SD]

Glory.

From a small drop has now come the well, namely the all-blameless Virgin, who will give birth to the ocean of salvation and put an end to the many streams of paganism. [SD]

Both now.

O ever-blessed Maiden and Mother of God, you came forth from a fruitless root; and by your own supernatural divine offspring, you uproot the thorns of wickedness. [SD]

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 4.

When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!” [GOASD]

For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Unto us is born today Mary the child of God, * as the branch from Jesse’s root, and as the fruit of David’s loins, * and all creation is re-created and deified. * O heaven and the earth, rejoice in unison. * Sing praises unto her, O all you Gentile clans. * Joachim is exultant, and Anna is keeping festival, crying out: * “The barren woman bears the Theotokos, * the nourisher of our Life.” [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

On this day the virgin Maid, Mary the true Theotokos, * the inviolate bridal room of the heavenly Bridegroom, * by the will of God is born of a barren woman, * to prepare to be the carriage of God the Logos, * as for this she had been destined, * to be the gateway of God and Mother of Life. [SD]

Trisagios Hymn

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.

The Epistle

Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2. Psalm 27.

O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance. [SAAS]

Verse: To You, O Lord, I cry; O my God. [SAAS]

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.

Gal. 6:11 – 18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode 1. Psalm 88.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: I raised up a chosen one from My people. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: For My hand shall support him.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 3:13 – 17

The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Communion Hymn. Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DISMISSAL

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.

Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.