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Octoechos - Mode 2.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - December 11-17

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 2.

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 2.

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, glory to You!” [GOASD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. For the Forefathers.

Mode 2.

By faith You justified the Forefathers, having through them betrothed to yourself the Church that came out of the nations. The saints are boasting in glory; for the glorious fruit, the Virgin who without seed gave birth to You, is from their progeny. At their entreaties, O Christ our God, save our souls. [SD]

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 2.

When he took down Your immaculate Body from the Cross, the honorable Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen shroud with spices and laid it for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day You rose, O Lord, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory.

The Angel who had come to the sepulcher said to the Myrrh-bearing women, “Ointments are appropriate for mortal men; but Christ is indeed a stranger to decay. Now go proclaim that the Lord has risen and granted to the world the great mercy.” [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

You are supremely glorified, O Virgin Theotokos; we sing your praise. By your Son’s crucifixion, Hades was overthrown and death itself has died. We who were dead have risen and have been granted life. We have received the original enjoyment of Paradise. Therefore we give thanks and send up glory to Christ our God, the only strong and very merciful Lord. [GOASD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 2.

Not preventing the sealing of the stone of the tomb, with Your rising You gave to all the rock of the faith. Glory to You, O Lord. [GOASD]

Glory.

The choir of Your disciples and the Myrrh-bearing Women are greatly rejoicing together with us. For we are celebrating one and the same feast, which glorifies and honors Your resurrection. By their intercessions, O benevolent Lord, grant to us Your people the great mercy. [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]

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

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 2.

After Your Passion, O Christ God, the women went to the tomb to anoint Your body. They saw Angels in the sepulcher, and they were amazed. For they heard them saying that You the Lord had risen, granting to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Mode 2.

I direct the eyes of my heart to You in heaven, O Savior. Save me, I pray, shining on me Your resplendence. [GOASD]

Have mercy on us who hourly offend You in many things, O my Christ; and before the end, give us ways to return to You in repentance. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

To the Holy Spirit it is proper to rule, to sanctify, and to move all creation; for He is God, one in essence with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]

Antiphon 2.

If the Lord had not been with us, who would be sufficient to preserve himself uninjured from the enemy and murderer of mankind? [GOASD]

Do not deliver me to the teeth of my enemies, O Savior, for in the manner of a lion they move against me Your servant. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is the principle of life, and to Him belongs the honor. He is God, and in the Father through the Son He strengthens and sustains every creature. [GOASD]

Antiphon 3.

Those who trust in the Lord are like the holy mountain. They are in no way shaken by the devil’s assaults. [GOASD]

Let those who live for God never stretch out their hands in lawlessness. For Christ will not permit the rod to be upon His inheritance. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

From the Holy Spirit all wisdom gushes forth, as does grace to Apostles. By Him Martyrs are awarded for their contests, and Prophets have visions. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

Awaken, O Lord my God, in the ordinance You commanded, so the congregation of the peoples shall surround You. (2)

Verse: O Lord my God in You I hope.

Awaken, O Lord my God, in the ordinance You commanded, so the congregation of the peoples shall surround You. [SAAS]

Eothinon Gospel (Not EP / GOA)

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.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon 5

Luke. 24:12 – 35

At that time, Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. And behold, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk, looking sad?” Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

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; and the holy Forefathers, 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.

Ode 1: Octoechos: Canon-1

The Canon

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν βυθῷ κατέστρωε.

Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Good One, disobeying Your command, * we were sadly registered to the ruler of this world as his property. * By Your Cross is he condemned; * for assaulting You as if merely a mortal man, * he fell into Your authority, and he was rendered powerless. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Master, You have come into the world * as Redeemer of the human race and as the Author of immortal life. * For You shredded shrouds of death * by Your resurrection, which we all now glorify. * For You are forever glorious, and You are greatly glorified. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Unto the Creator you gave birth, * when in His good pleasure He became incarnate, O Maid, in your virgin womb. * Hence you are superior * to creation all, invisible and visible. * Intercede with Him with confidence, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

Ode 1: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (Christ is born.)

Χριστὸς γεννᾶται.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us offer praise to the Fathers, ⁄ who shone forth both before and during the Law. ⁄ With righteous minds they served the Lord and Master ⁄ Who shone forth from the Virgin. ⁄⁄ Now they delight in the unending light! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us honor Adam, the first-formed man and fore-Father of us all, ⁄ who was honored by the hand of the Creator. ⁄ He rests in the heavenly mansions ⁄⁄ with all the chosen. [OCA]

Glory.

You accepted Abel as he brought forward a gift ⁄ with a most noble soul, O God and Lord of all. ⁄ And when in days of old he was murdered by a blood-guilty hand, ⁄⁄ You brought him before the Light as a divine martyr. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Let us hear the divine words of those who cry aloud ⁄ telling of the appearance of Christ: ⁄ For behold, He is born in a cave of an unwedded Maiden, ⁄ and His awesome birth is foretold to the wisemen ⁄⁄ by the suddenly-appearing star. [OCA]

Ode 1: Katavasia

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Christ is born! Glorify Him! * Christ is come from heaven! Go and meet Him! * Christ is on earth! Arise to Him! * Sing to the Lord, all you inhabitants of earth, and all you peoples, praise Him, * and with merriment extol Him who is glorified! [GOASD]

Ode 3: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐξήνθησεν ἡ ἔρημος.

The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Creation, at Your Passion, Lord, was confounded when it saw * that You, who had established all * by divine bidding, were in outward form * humiliated and sneered at by lawless men. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You fashioned me from dust, O Christ, * in Your image, with Your hand. * When I through sin was crushed again * to the dust of death, You went down with me * into Hades and raised me up again with You. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Virgin, the angelic hosts * were amazed that you gave birth * to God, O all-immaculate; * and the hearts of the people shook in awe. * With faith we honor you as the Mother of God. [SD]

Ode 3: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (To the Son, begotten.)

Τῷ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Seth’s fervor for the Creator is sung throughout the world, ⁄ for he served Him truly with a blameless life and disposition of soul. ⁄ Now in the land of the living, he cries aloud: ⁄⁄ Holy are You, O Lord! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

With his whole mouth and tongue, and heart, ⁄ the wonderful Enoch hoped that in the Spirit and with a Godly mind ⁄ he might call upon God the Master of all. ⁄ He lived on earth in a well-pleasing manner, ⁄⁄ and has been given glory. [OCA]

Glory.

Let us again bless Enoch with holy words of praise, ⁄ for since he was well-pleasing to the Lord, ⁄ he was translated in glory: ⁄ As it is written, he was seen to be too great for death, ⁄⁄ since he was manifested as a most true servant of God. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Now the expectation of the nations comes forth from a Virgin, ⁄ and in a mystery, ⁄ Bethlehem fittingly opens Eden which had been closed, ⁄ for it receives the Word Who has taken a body, ⁄⁄ and has lain in a manger in the flesh! [OCA]

Ode 3: Katavasia

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

To the Son, begotten from the Father unchangingly before the ages, * and now becoming incarnate from the Virgin without seed; * to Christ God let us cry aloud, * “You have exalted the horn of our strength. * Only You are holy, O Lord!” [GOASD]

Ode 3: 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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are our 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.

Mid-Ode Kathisma or Hypakoe

From Menaion - - -

READER

Hypakoe. Mode 2.

The flame was changed to dew for the youths, ⁄ and grief was chanced to joy for the women: ⁄ An angel was minister to both the wonders, ⁄ changing the furnace into a place of rest for the youths, ⁄ and revealing the resurrection on the third day to the women! ⁄⁄ Lord, the author of our life, glory to You! [OCA]

Secondary Kontakion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

Omnipotent Lord, You rose from the sepulcher. * The netherworld saw the miracle and was stupefied, * for the dead were also raised. * But creation saw it and rejoiced with You; * Adam also greatly rejoiced. * O my Savior, the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]

Oikos.

You, O Word of God, are the light of those in the darkness. You are the resurrection and the life of all humanity. When You destroyed the power of death and smashed the gates of Hades, You raised everyone with yourself. Mortals saw the miracle and marveled, All creation rejoices with You in Your resurrection, O benevolent Lord. So we all now glorify and extol Your condescension, O my Savior, and the world forever sings Your praise. [GOASD]

Ode 4: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐλήλυθας ἐκ Παρθένου.

You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You stood trial at Caiaphas’s court, Lord, not crying out, * as You brought forth justice to the Gentiles, as Isaiah said. * This is the salvation that You worked for the whole world, * through Your Passion, O Christ. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By Your Passion, forsaken are the swords of the enemy, * as the Prophet David said. * By Your descent into Hades, Lord, * the cities of the foe were pulled down, * and the tyrant’s insolence was overthrown. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

You, O Lady Theotokos, are known by the faithful all, * our fortress unshakable, * the harbor where we go to be saved. * By your intercessions you rescue our souls from all dangers and calamities. [SD]

Ode 4: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (A rod has come forth .)

Ῥάβδος ἐκ τῆς ῥίζης.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us offer praise to God ⁄ as we venerate the truly righteous Noah. ⁄ He was made beautiful in all the divine commands, ⁄ and seen to be well-pleasing to Christ. ⁄ Let us sing to Him with faith: ⁄⁄ Glory to Your power, O Lord! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Noah, as He saw your nobility, ⁄ the purity of your character and perfection in all things, ⁄ God manifested you openly as the founder of the second world. ⁄ You preserved for it the seed of every kind, as He Himself decreed, ⁄⁄ from the overwhelming flood. [OCA]

Glory.

Let us bless Noah with reverence and songs of praise, ⁄ for he kept inviolate the law of God. ⁄ He was found a righteous man in his generation in days of old, ⁄ and long ago by the command of Him Who does all things ⁄⁄ he preserved earth’s animals in a wooden Ark. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Now our Redemption lies in a manger ⁄ and is swaddled as an infant; ⁄ and Magi, Kings of the east, ⁄ come to see Him Who as God and King has been born on earth, ⁄⁄ and they faithfully worship Him with their gifts. [OCA]

Ode 4: Katavasia

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 1.

A rod has come forth from Jesse’s root, * and You its flower grew from it, praiseworthy Christ, now born of the Virgin, * whom Habakkuk called Paran, shady, thickly wooded mountain. * From her who knew no man You came incarnate, O immaterial God. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [GOASD]

Ode 5: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Μεσίτης Θεοῦ.

O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Like a cedar, O Christ, * You shattered the raging of the enemies, * when in Your good pleasure, Lord, * You were voluntarily crucified * and in the flesh exalted with the cypress, pine, and cedar. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

They laid You, O Lord, * in the lowest pit, as one helpless and dead. * By Your bruise, O Savior Christ, * with yourself You raised up those whom David said * were no longer remembered, like slain men sleeping in a grave. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O pure one, implore your Son and Lord for us who put our hope in you. * Virgin, pray He grant to us * a peaceful existence and deliverance * from adverse circumstances, whenever we encounter them. [SD]

Ode 5: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (O God of peace.)

Θεὸς ὢν εἰρήνης.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Shem, you are honored with inspired praises, ⁄ for you reaped the fruits of your Father’s blessing. ⁄ You were revealed to be well-pleasing in the presence of God. ⁄ and were chosen for the choirs of the forefathers: ⁄⁄ You rest joyfully in the land of the living! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Abraham, as a friend of God, ⁄ was made worthy to see the day of his Lord ⁄ and was filled with the joy of the Spirit. ⁄ Let us all honor him with true understanding, ⁄⁄ blessing him as the faithful servant of God. [OCA]

Glory.

You beheld the Trinity in a manner fitting for the sight of mankind ⁄ when you received a guest as a most-faithful friend. ⁄ Therefore you gained the reward of the awesome hospitality ⁄ becoming the Father of countless gentiles ⁄⁄ through your faith, O Abraham! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

He Who is full empties Himself for our sake through the flesh; ⁄ the unoriginate One accepts a beginning! ⁄ The rich one becomes poor; ⁄ The Word of God lies in a manger of dumb beasts! ⁄⁄ As an infant, He accomplishes the recreation of all from eternity! [OCA]

Ode 5: Katavasia

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 1.

O God of peace and Father of mercies, * You have sent to us the Wonderful Counselor, * the Angel of Your great counsel, granting us peace. * And now to light of knowledge of God we have been guided, * and we rise from night to dawn and glorify You, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Ode 6: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vi. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν ἀβύσσῳ πταισμάτων.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The Righteous One was judged as a criminal, * and He has been crucified with those who broke the law; * and by His precious blood He gives * guilty sinners forgiveness of all their sins. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As through one man, the first Adam, sin of old * came into the world and through it death spread to all, * much more through one, the Son of God, * resurrection has been manifested to all. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

You, O Virgin, conceived without knowing man * and remained a virgin, even after giving birth, * exhibiting the tokens that prove * the true divinity of your Son and God. [SD]

Ode 6: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (Jonah long ago.)

Σπλάγχνων Ἰωνᾶν.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

You clearly became a figure of Christ’s Passion, ⁄ most blessed Isaac, ⁄ as you were raised up to be sacrificed ⁄ through your Father’s ready obedience. ⁄ Therefore you are blessed, and revealed as a true friend of God, ⁄⁄ and you dwell with all the righteous. [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Jacob was seen to be a most faithful servant of the God of all: ⁄ He wrestled with an angel; ⁄ his name was changed as he beheld God with his mind, ⁄ and as he slept, he beheld the divine ladder upon which our God came down ⁄⁄ Who in His goodness was united with the flesh. [OCA]

Glory.

Joseph as a lover of obedience to his Father, ⁄ was cast into a pit and sold. ⁄ Thus he prefigured Christ Who was sacrificed and went down into the pit. ⁄ He was appointed to feed Egypt with corn, ⁄⁄ for in chastity and righteousness he truly ruled over the passions. [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

The Existing One, eternally with the Father and the Spirit, ⁄ is known as a little child on earth. ⁄ He Who was revealed clothing the earth with clouds ⁄ is wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger of dumb beasts. ⁄ Now let us rejoice in the prefeast ⁄⁄ as we celebrate His seedless Nativity! [OCA]

Ode 6: Katavasia

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Jonah long ago * was hurled from the belly of the whale as he went in, like a newborn babe. * With the Virgin now, * when the Logos had dwelt in His Mother’s womb, * taking flesh, He then emerged, preserving her intact.* Yielding not to changeability, * He preserved her unaltered in childbirth. [GOASD]

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

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.

Principal Kontakion and Synaxarion

READER

Kontakion. For the Forefathers.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. (not metered)

Worshiping not the image made by hands, but putting on the breastplate of the unwritten essence, in the arena of fire you, thrice-blessed ones, were glorified. Standing in the midst of a flame unendurable, you called upon God, “Make haste, O Compassionate one, and hurry as the Merciful one, unto our aid, for You can do what You will.” [SD]

Oikos.

Extend Your hand, which of old the Egyptians, making battle, and the Hebrews, then embattled, had experienced. Do not forsake us, that Death, who thirsts after us, and Satan, who hates us, may drink us down. But be near us and spare our souls, as You once spared Your lads in Babylon as they ceaselessly sang Your praises, and were for You thrown into the furnace, and from thence called to You, “Make haste, O Compassionate one, and hurry as the Merciful one, unto our aid, for You can do what You will.” [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 14 we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, and Callinicus.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs Philemon, Apollionos, Arrianos, and those with them.

On this day we we commemorate the four guards who contested together with Arrianos.

On this day we also commemorate the great love which was shown to us when we were delivered from the fearful threat of earthquake by our benevolent Lord.

Today is also the Sunday of the holy Forefathers.

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

Ode 7: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἀντίθεον πρόσταγμα.

The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Lord, in Your tender love, You did not bear it * to see that humanity had succumbed to death’s tyranny. * So You came and saved the human race by Your own blood, * becoming man, O Christ our God. * You are praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, when the keepers of the doors of Hades * saw You, who were clothed in the garment of vengeance, they quaked. * For You, as the Master, went there to subdue the unwise * tyrant, making him Your slave. * You are praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

We recognize you, O undefiled Virgin, * as holy of holies. O unwedded Mother, only you * conceived and gave birth to God who is immutable. * By your childbirth you became * the spring of incorruption for the believers all. [SD]

Ode 7: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (Brought up together.)

Οἱ Παῖδες εὐσεβείᾳ.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Ananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, ⁄ you are praised together with Daniel, ⁄ for you quenched the fiery furnace and tamed the ragings of lions, ⁄ singing in harmony to Christ: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, O God of our fathers! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Job, you struggled righteously in temptations, ⁄ and in unceasing afflictions ⁄ you were called a wholly faithful servant of God. ⁄ You were gentle, meek, perfect, upright and blameless, ⁄⁄ crying: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers! [OCA]

Glory.

Let us honor Moses and Aaron in faith, ⁄ let us praise Joshua and the most holy Levi ⁄ together with Gideon and Sampson, ⁄⁄ crying: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Behold, as the prophet foretold, ⁄ the unwedded one conceived God in her womb! ⁄ She hastens to give birth to Him in a cave in Bethlehem. ⁄ We all sing to Him: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, O God of our fathers! [OCA]

Ode 7: Katavasia

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Brought up together piously, the Servants * with contempt regarded the impious king’s decree. * The threat of the furnace did not frighten them. * Rather, standing in the midst of flames, they prayed and sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers!” [GOASD]

Ode 8: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Κάμινός ποτε.

Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Christ, with Your own blood, Your body, like the garment, * of which Isaiah spoke, was stained crimson red. * And seeing it, all the hosts of the Angels shuddered marveling * at Your immense longsuffering, and they sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Tender-loving Savior, by Your resurrection * You clothed my mortal nature with the garment of immortality. * Now rejoicing and with gratitude, * Your chosen people sing Your praises, O Christ, * saying in the words of Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

In your holy womb you conceived without seed * and you gave birth incomprehensibly to Him who inseparate * from the Father lived as God and man. * And therefore we consider you * the salvation of us all, O pure Virgin who gave birth to God. [SD]

Ode 8: Menaion: Canon-2

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 1. N/M (Babylon’s bedewing furnace.)

Θαύματος ὑπερφυοῦς.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Today let us celebrate the divine memory ⁄ of the divine fathers of ancient days: ⁄ Adam and Abel, Seth, Noah and Enos, ⁄ Enoch, Abraham, Melchizedek and Job, ⁄ with Isaac and the faithful Jacob. ⁄ Let creation cry out and bless the Lord, ⁄⁄ and exalt Him throughout all ages! [OCA]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise the ranks of divine fathers who were pleasing to God: ⁄ Barak, Nathan and Eleazar, ⁄ Josiah, David, Jephthah and Samuel ⁄ who in reverence beheld the things to come and raised the cry: ⁄ Let all creation bless the Lord ⁄⁄ and exalt Him throughout all ages! [OCA]

Glory.

Let us offer songs of praise to the prophets of God: ⁄ we praise Hosea and Micah, ⁄ Zephaniah and Habbakkuk, ⁄ Zachariah, Jonah, Haggai and Amos, ⁄ Obadiah and Malachai, ⁄ Nahum, Isaiah and Jeremiah, ⁄⁄ and Ezekiel, with Daniel, Elijah and Elisha! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You were seen taking flesh from the blood of a Virgin ⁄ by an ineffable word, O Christ. ⁄ You were born as a perfect babe in a cave, ⁄ through the greatness of compassion. ⁄ A star revealed You to the magi from afar, who cry in faith: ⁄⁄ Praise and greatly exalt Christ throughout all ages! [OCA]

Ode 8: Katavasia

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Babylon’s bedewing furnace bore the image of an extraordinary wonder. * For it did not burn the youths it was holding, * nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin’s womb wherein it went. * And so let us songfully extol and praise, * “Let all creation bless the Lord, sing a hymn to Him, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Kontakia and Synaxarion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

Oikos.

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion. For the Forefathers.

Oikos.

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 14 we commemorate the contest of the holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, and Callinicus.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs Philemon, Apollionos, Arrianos, and those with them.

On this day we we commemorate the four guards who contested together with Arrianos.

On this day we also commemorate the great love which was shown to us when we were delivered from the fearful threat of earthquake by our benevolent Lord.

Today is also the Sunday of the holy Forefathers.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Christmas I

Ode i. Mode 1.

Ode iii.

Ode iv.

Ode v.

Ode vi.

Ode vii.

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Eothinon Gospel (EP / GOA)