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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - November 2

Memory of the Holy Martyrs Acindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistos

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 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.

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]

Glory. For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O steadfast and mighty Witnesses and Martyrs of Christ, * glorious Pegasios and wise Acindynos * and strong Anempodistos, * blessed Afthonios and divine Elpidophoros, * you five medaled Athletes ever guard us and save us * from perils and disasters when we pray to you. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

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]

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 Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

Looking up at the entrance to the sepulcher, then unable to endure the Angel’s radiance, the Myrrh-bearing Women were frightened; and perplexed they said, “Has He been stolen, who opened Paradise to the Robber? Has He arisen, who before His Passion announced His rising?” Indeed, Christ God has truly risen, granting life and resurrection to those in the netherworld. [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

By Your voluntary will, O Savior, You endured the Cross, * In a new tomb mortal men buried Your body, O Lord, * who by a word had created the universe. * Death, the ancient foe, was restrained by You * and forcefully deprived of the spoils it had. * And all the souls in Hades sang and glorified * Your resurrection, which gave them life, * “Christ the Giver of Life has risen! * And He abides forever!” [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Automelon.

Joseph marveled when he saw that which transcends nature’s laws: * You conceived without the seed of man, O Mother of God. * Then he remembered the dew on the fleece of Gideon, * the bush that Moses saw burning yet not consumed, * and Aaron’s rod that sprouted and blossomed forth. * And your betrothed and guardian bore witness * before the priests, and he cried aloud, * “The Virgin gives birth, and after childbirth * still she remains a virgin.” [GOASD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

You rose, as immortal Savior, from the netherworld, * and with yourself You also raised Your world by Your resurrection, O Christ our God. * Mightily You shattered the power of death, O Master. * Merciful Lord, You showed to all the resurrection. * Therefore we glorify You, only benevolent God. [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

From exalted heights above Gabriel came down to earth; * and he sat upon the rock wherein the Rock of life had lain. * Arrayed in white, he cried out to the weeping women, * “Women, even though you are emotional, * You no longer need to lament and mourn. * No more weeping, for the One you are seeking * has truly risen, so be of good cheer. * And go and tell it to His Apostles, * that the Lord has truly risen.” [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

O pure Virgin, all the hosts of holy angels were amazed * at the awesome mystery of your pregnancy and birth, * how He whose simple command holds all things together * is held in your embrace as a mortal babe, * the pre-eternal Word accepts an origin; * and He is nursed who nourishes the whole world * in His ineffable kindness. * And they extol you and glorify you * who are truly Theotokos. [GOASD]

Kathisma III.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

All aflame with a love for correct belief in God, * you brought down the delusions of Persian king Shapur; * and you were not afraid when he interrogated you, * but rather you attracted many to believe the truth of Christ, * O God-bearing holy Martyrs * Pegasios and Anempodistos * and godly-minded Acindynos. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

I implore you to show forth your promptness to provide * your protection and help and your mercy unto me, * O pure Maid, and calm the waves of unruly thoughts, * and resurrect the fallen soul of me your servant, I entreat, * O all-holy Theotokos. * I know, I know, O Virgin, * that you can do whatever you wish. [SD]

Resurrectional Evlogetaria.

Mode pl. 1.

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

When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]

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

“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”

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

Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”

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

When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”

Glory.

We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.

Both now.

Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.

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

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 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.

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Hypakoe. Mode 4.

The Myrrh-bearing Women hurried to declare the matter of Your paradoxal rising to Your Apostles, O Christ, that You rose, as God, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Mode 4.

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

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

Glory. Both now.

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

Antiphon 2.

I have cried to You, O Lord, from the depth of my soul with fervor. Let Your divine ears be attentive to me. [GOASD]

Everyone who has their hope in the Lord is higher than anything that could sadden them. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

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

Antiphon 3.

Let my heart be lifted up to You, O Logos; and none of the world’s delights will entice me to be earthly-minded. [GOASD]

Whereas one has filial affection for his mother, for the Lord we ought to have a love even more fervent. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is the wealth of knowledge of God, contemplation and wisdom. For in Him the Logos discloses all the dogmas of the Father. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

Arise, O Lord; help us, and redeem us, because of the glory of Your name. (2)

Verse: O God, we heard with our ears.

Arise, O Lord; help us, and redeem us, because of the glory of Your name. [SAAS]

Ode 6: Short Litany

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 You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, 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.

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

He who saved and rescued me has resurrected from the tomb and bonds of death those born on earth, for He is God. He smashed the gates of the netherworld, and on the third day, He rose, as the Lord of all. [GOASD]

Oikos.

Christ is the Giver of Life. He rose from the dead and the tomb, on the third day. He smashed the gates of death with His might today. He neutralized Hades and crushed the sting of death. And He freed Adam and Eve. Let all of us born on earth earnestly sing and praise Him with gratitude; for He is our one and mighty God, and on the third day He rose, as the Lord of all. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 2 we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs Acindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistos.

On this day we also commemorate the two holy Senators who died by the sword.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Evdoxios, Agapios, and the holy eight others.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father St. Marcian of Cyrus.

The holy women Martyrs Kyriaki, Domnina, and Domna died by the sword.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

HIERARCH (in place of the Right Choir)

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 4.

I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her miracles. [GOASD]

HIERARCH

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * and graciously in your divine glory give glorious crowns to them. [GOASD]

LEFT CHOIR

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 4.

When the Prophet Habakkuk heard the divine * and incomprehensible counsel of Your Incarnation * from the Virgin, O Most High, * considering, he cried aloud: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God. [GOASD]

HIERARCH

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you. [GOASD]

LEFT CHOIR

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 4.

O godly-minded believers, come * and celebrate this sacred and venerable feast and thus extol * the Theotokos, and clap our hands, * and glorify our God who was truly born of her. [GOASD]

HIERARCH

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.” [GOASD]

LEFT CHOIR

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 4.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Guiltless were those Servants in the furnace. * The Son of the Theotokos went and rescued them. * He who was prefigured then, * having been incarnate now, * is gathering the whole wide world into His Church to sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.” [GOASD]

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.

HIERARCH: 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 altar table)

Eothinon 10

John. 21:1 – 14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

HIERARCH

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]

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

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. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]

Glory.

At the intercession of the Apostles, 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]

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

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [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 Martyrs Acindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistos, whose memory we observe, 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.

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

HIERARCH (in place of the Right 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]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 4.

All you born on earth, * with festival lamps in hand, in spirit leap for joy; * and all you the heavenly angelic orders, join in and celebrate; * and honoring the sacred wonders of the Mother of God, * sing the joyful salutation, “O rejoice, * Theotokos, all-blest, ever-virgin pure!” [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.

HIERARCH (in place of the Right Choir)

Mode 2.

Holy is the Lord our God. (2) [SAAS]

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.

For He is holy.

From Octoechos - - -

Eothinon 10.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Once, the Sea of Tiberias * had Simon Peter, Thomas, * Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, * and two other disciples * in a boat together fishing. * At Christ’s command they let down * the net on the right side and caught * so many fish. When Peter heard it was the Lord, * he jumped and ran to Him. This was the third time * He showed himself to them, here with * bread and a fish on charcoals. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

You are a spring that gushes forth * the grace of cures unhazardous * in unobstructed abundance * for those who in hope observe this * your memorial, O holy ones. * We pray that you would now pour out * your healings, O all-lauded saints, * on us who with love extol you, * O five-numbered team of Martyrs. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

The nature of our Forefather, * which was corrupted, you renewed * by marvelously conceiving * and giving birth as a virgin * to the Fashioner of nature all. * He strengthened hosts of martyr saints. * As they competed, they extolled * you who are our salvation’s * beginning, O Theotokos. [SD]

CHANTER

Your blessing, holy Master! Mode 4.

CHOIR

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]

The Hierarch descends from the throne and recites the preparatory prayers for the Liturgy, as the Choirs sing:

Ton Despotin kai Archierea imon, Kyrie fylatte. Eis polla eti, Despota.

The hierarch takes “kairon” in preparation for the Divine Liturgy, as the right choir slowly sings “Ton Despotin…” When he is finished, the hierarch blesses the people with the candles, as the left choir sings “Eis polla eti, despota,” and he enters the altar. Then the choirs resume singing Lauds.

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Stichera.

Mode 4.

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

You endured the Cross and death, and You rose from the dead. O almighty Lord, we glorify Your resurrection. [GOASD]

Mode 4.

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

By Your Cross You freed us from the ancient curse, O Christ; and by Your death You neutralized the devil who tyrannized our nature; and by Your resurrection, You filled the whole world with joy. Therefore we sing to You, who rose from the dead, “Glory to You, O Lord.” [GOASD]

Mode 4.

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

O Christ our Savior, by Your Cross, guide us to Your truth, and deliver us from the snares of the foe. Since You have risen from the dead, reach out Your hand and raise us who have fallen into sin, O benevolent Lord, at the intercession of Your Saints. [GOASD]

Mode 4.

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

Never parting from the Father’s bosom, Only-begotten Logos of God, You came to earth, for the sake of humanity, and without change became man. And in the flesh You endured the Cross and death, remaining impassible in divinity. As the only almighty Lord, You rose from the dead, and You granted immortality to the human race. [GOASD]

Stichera. For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

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

What a paradoxal miracle! * For Anempodistos * and the great St. Acindynos * and the wise Pegasios, * bravely entered the contest of faith, * and they at once drew to Christianity * Elpidophoros and Afthonios. * They all competed well, * being fellow martyrs. By the grace of Christ, * being full of wisdom, they proclaimed the true faith in Him. [GOASD]

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

What a paradoxal miracle! * For Anempodistos * and the great St. Acindynos * and the wise Pegasios, * bravely entered the contest of faith, * and they at once drew to Christianity * Elpidophoros and Afthonios. * They all competed well, * being fellow martyrs. By the grace of Christ, * being full of wisdom, they proclaimed the true faith in Him. [GOASD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

What a paradoxal miracle! * How the victorious Saints * were so steadfast in martyrdom; * how they drew to faith in Christ * such a numerous multitude; * how they endured the painful dismemberment; * how they rejoiced together in martyrdom! * Even as they were thrown * into prison and finally burned to death, * by the grace of Christ, the Martyrs were unfaltering. [GOASD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

Everyone in heaven and on earth * is celebrating today, * and the orders of martyr saints * with the faithful Christians all * are together exultant in soul. * For the illustrious, solemn memory * of the all-holy Martyrs is here at last. * Come, fans of holidays, * see how Christ from heaven splendidly bestows * crowns of victory upon the holy Martyrs of Christ. [GOASD]

From Octoechos - - -

Glory. Mode pl. 2.

Eothinon 10.

After Your descent into Hades and Your resurrection from the dead, Your disciples were understandably disheartened, O Christ, because of Your absence. So they went back to work, the boats and the nets; and they caught nothing. But then You appeared, O Savior, as the Master of all, and You told them to cast the nets on the right side of the boat. They put Your word into action at once; and so great was the quantity of fish. And a marvelous meal was ready ashore. Your disciples partook of it back then; grant us also to enjoy it now spiritually, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]

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.

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

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.

After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.

Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)

Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]