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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Sunday Evening

Menaion - November 3

Memory of the holy Martyrs Acepsimas, Joseph, and Aeithalas; and of the Consecration of the Church of the Holy Great-martyr George in Lydda, when his Holy Body was Placed in it.

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Psalm 103 (104).

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.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

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.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

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.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

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.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

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.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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 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.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 1.

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]

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]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

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.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Hide Stichologia

For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Trinity of the Trinity, rejoice! * Of every virtue you are truly the pure abodes. * Like wine bowls you serve divine wine of Orthodoxy that makes * glad the hearts and souls of those who honor you. * Like breasts, you pour out the streams of divine cures like sweetest milk. * Like luminaries, you are shining the light of truth; * you illuminate all the world with your radiance. * Martyrs, your names are magnified. * The night-time of ignorance * has been diminished and shortened, as you illumine the minds of all. * To Christ pray intently, * and implore Him that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

Rejoice, Joseph and Aeithalas, * sacred Acepsimas. You praiseworthy men of God * extinguished the false religion of those who worshiped the fire,* with the divine fire of the knowledge of God; * through which those who offered up an iniquitous sacrifice * to sun and stars have disappeared as if by eclipse, * and the false beliefs of magicians have come to naught. * Champions of the Trinity, * all-ven’rable Martyr Saints, * for those who sit in the darkness of sin and ignorance you are light * of Christ the true Shepherd, * who was sacrificed and grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Wise men with a most brave frame of mind, * you were subjected unto torture of every kind. * As if you were beasts of burden, you were weighed down even more, * and were led to suffer more tormenting pain. * Although you were thrashed and cut and were bludgeoned repeatedly, * and were exhausted from the torture that you endured, * you did not submit nor renounce your belief in God. * Therefore you worthily received the halo of victory, * and you are famously numbered among the chorus of Martyr Saints. * With them now entreat Christ, * and implore Him that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]

For St. George.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

Rejoicing, you motivated yourself, * and you courageously proceeded to martyrdom. * And everyone was confounded by your persistence, O Saint, * for you trampled tyrants’ arrogant conceit. * And now you have passed over to the radiant residence * of holy Angels, and together you celebrate; * and you ever save those who faithfully honor you. * We have you watching over us, all-blessed Great-martyr George. * And when the poor and the needy cry out invoking your sympathy, * you earnestly pray Christ, * and implore Him that He grant His great mercy to the world. [SD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Come now to us, O Great-martyr George. * Help us in trouble and beset by adversity. * Alleviate pain arising from our lamentable trials; * take away the burden that they place on us. * Protect us and shelter us, blessed Saint, and deliver us; * carry us over to the Lord God through right belief; * guide us to obey our Creator’s divine commands; * so that when we finish our lives, by His great benevolence * we may obtain what He promised, rewards in heaven and life with God, * as we now extol Christ, * our Savior who is granting great mercy to the world. [SD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

Truly the great and wonderful fame * of your extraordinary martyrdom is proclaimed, * O glorious and illustrious, noblest Great-martyr George; * and your reputation, worthy of esteem, * precedes you throughout the world: your innumerable miracles! * You cure diseases, and you heal many suffering, * by unceasingly interceding on their behalf. * Therefore we all know you to be our most ardent advocate, * all-blessed great benefactor, who rescues captives and hostages. * Intently entreat Christ, * and implore Him that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

True to your name was the manner of your life, O George the Victorious. For taking up the cross of Christ on your shoulders, you tilled the earth parched by diabolical delusion. As you uprooted the thorny religion of the idols, you planted the vine of the Orthodox faith everywhere. Therefore you pour out healings for the faithful throughout the civilized world; and you have shown yourself to be a righteous husbandman of the Trinity. We beseech you: intercede for the peace of the world and the salvation of our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Theotokos, you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life. Lady, we fervently entreat you to intercede along with the Martyr and all the saints, that our souls be treated mercifully. [SD]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

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]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4.

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

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]

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are 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.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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.

PRIEST (aloud)

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.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

Medaled Athlete, Great-martyr George, * as you live with the Angels now * and the other Martyrs, and as you are each day * a place of refuge for those in need, * I pray you to be for me, * who am on the sea of life, * like a haven of cool relief. Also I implore, * be my life’s guide and pilot, so that I may praise your supernatural contests * with incontestable faith and love. [SD]

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

Guard me always and everywhere, * when I travel by any means, * walking, driving, flying, and when I sleep at night. * And when I wake, keep me safe and sound, all-blessed Great-martyr George. * Guide me to fulfill the will * and commandments of God my Lord, * so that I who run * to your mighty protection be forgiven of the sins I have committed * throughout my lifetime, on Judgment Day. [SD]

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

With the breastplate of pious faith * were you armed, and the shield of grace * and the spear of Christ’s cross, O holy Martyr George. * And you became thus invincible * contending against the foes. * Therefore routing demons’ ranks, * as a model of excellence, * now you celebrate * with the Angels, while caring for the faithful * whom you sanctify and rescue * when they invoke your exalted name. [SD]

Glory. For the Martyrs.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

The three children preserved unharmed by the Persian fire ⁄ mystically foreshadowed your thrice-radiant unity of mind ⁄ and your martyrdom in Christ! ⁄ Athletes of the ineffable Trinity and supernatural Unity, ⁄ as they stood in the midst of the flames and did not cry out against God, ⁄ so also you did not refuse to die ⁄ when your lives were not spared by the love of Christ. ⁄ As in their midst, a fourth appeared who sprinkled them with dew, ⁄ so also Christ, one of the Trinity, ⁄ received you into a place of refreshment! ⁄ Acepsimus, Joseph and Aithalas, chosen by God, ⁄⁄ ever pray for our souls! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 2.

O Virgin Theotokos, we have come to know God incarnate of you. Entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

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]

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

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

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. For St. George.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

As the one renowned for setting captives free and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of emperors, great and victorious Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

To you who were raised in the Temple, in the Holy of Holies, and who were clothed in faith and wisdom and measureless virginity, the Supreme Commander Gabriel from heaven brought the salutation, “Rejoice”; “Rejoice, O blessed Maiden! Rejoice, O glorified one! The Lord is with you.” [SD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

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, 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, the holy Martyrs Acepsimas, Joseph, and Aeithalas, and the holy and glorious Great-martyr George the Trophy-bearer, whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Amen.