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Octoechos - Mode 3.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - December 18-24

Sunday Before Christmas

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 3.

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 3.

Let the heavens be glad. Let the earth rejoice exceedingly. For the Lord has shown strength with his arm. He trampled death by death. He became the first-born of the dead. Out of the belly of Hades, He has rescued us, and to the world He has granted the great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory. For the Fathers.

Mode 2.

Magnificent are the accomplishments of faith! The holy Three Servants greatly rejoiced, as they stood in the fountain of fire, as if beside the still waters; and the Prophet Daniel appeared to be a shepherd of lions, as if they were sheep. At their entreaties, O Christ God, save our souls. [SD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

Mode 4.

O Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. * And be ready, Ephrata, for the Tree of life * has in the grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. * Indeed her womb is shown to be spiritually * a Paradise, in which is found the God-planted Tree. * And if we eat from it we shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old. * Christ is born, so that He might raise up * the formerly fallen image. [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 3.

Christ has been raised from the dead; He is the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. As the first-born of all creation and maker of all things that were made, in himself He renewed our human nature that had been ravaged. O Death, you no longer have dominion, for the Master of all has destroyed your power. [GOASD]

Glory.

You tasted death in the flesh, O Lord. But by Your resurrection, You cut off its bitterness and strengthened humanity against it, by reversing the failure that resulted in the ancient curse. O Defender of our life, glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

Mode pl. 2. When the angelic powers.

The sayings of the Prophets are being now fulfilled, * for our God shall be born in the days to come * ineffably from Mary the Virgin, and He remains * what He was before childbirth. * The Magi have been gathered, bearing their precious gifts. * In the fields are the shepherds. And we sing a hymn to Him * who from a Virgin was born, “Glory to You, O Lord.” [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

You voluntarily endured Your suffering, * and Your divinity remained unchanged, O Lord. * Hades was terrified by this; and lamenting, it said to itself, * “I fear Him whose physical constitution is not destroyed. * I see the invisible One mystically waging war on me. * Now those whom I am holding are crying out, * ‘Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ!’” [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

We the believers now theologize about * the inexplicable, incomprehensible, * and hidden mystery of Your crucifixion and resurrection. * For death and the netherworld have been stripped of their spoils today, * and our human nature has now put on the imperishable. * And therefore in thanksgiving we cry aloud: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ. [GOASD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels.

The army of the Angels appearing silenced * the song of shepherds pipes. And the Angel uttered, * Stop in the field abiding, * O you the governors of animals. * Cry out in exaltation, * for Christ the Lord has been born today. * It is His will to save the human race, * as God, in His good pleasure. [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 3.

Astounding in appearance, refreshing by the words he spoke, the dazzling Angel said to the Myrrh-bearing Women, “Why do you look in a tomb for the One who is alive? He has risen and emptied the tombs. Know that He is the unchanging Changer of death. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works! For You have saved the human race.’” [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Mode 3.

From Babylon You rescued the captives of Zion. O Logos, also pull me up from the passions to life. [GOASD]

Those who sow with godly tears in the south, with joy will reap the ears of everlasting life. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit, as in the Father and the Son, every gift of goodness intrinsically shines forth. And in Him all things both live and move. [GOASD]

Antiphon 2.

Unless the Lord builds the house of the virtues, we labor in vain. But if He is guarding the soul, no one can destroy our city. [GOASD]

O Christ, the Son of the Father, the fruit of the womb, the saints are ever adopted sons, through You in the Spirit. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit are perceived all holiness and wisdom, for He gives substance to all creation. Since He is God, let us worship Him, as we do the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]

Antiphon 3.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord: they will walk in the ways of His commandments. They shall eat every kind of life-giving fruit. [GOASD]

As you see your children’s children around your table bearing branches of good works, be glad, O arch-pastor. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is all the wealth of glory. From Him issue grace and life to all creation. And He is extolled with the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

Say among the Gentiles, “The Lord is King, for He established the world, which shall not be shaken.” (2)

Verse: Oh, sing a new song to the Lord.

Say among the Gentiles, “The Lord is King, for He established the world, which shall not be shaken.” [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.

From the tomb You rose today, O Lord of tender compassion, also from the gates of death You led us out, O our Savior. On this day Adam is dancing and Eve rejoices, and with them the holy Patriarchs and the Prophets are unceasingly extolling the divine power of Your authority. [GOASD]

Oikos.

Let heaven and earth join in dance today and in harmony extol Christ our God, for He raised the prisoners from their tombs. All creation celebrates together, offering worthy songs to our Redeemer, the Creator of all. For today, with himself as the Giver of Life, He raises people from the netherworld and lifts them up to heaven. He quashes the enemy’s haughtiness and smashes the gates of Hades, by the divine power of His authority. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion. For the Forefeast.

O Bethlehem, be glad, Ephrata, now be ready. * Behold, the human Ewe comes in haste to deliver * the great Shepherd, whom she bears * as a babe in her virgin womb. * And beholding Him, God-bearing Fathers and Shepherds * now exult in Him, and they sing praises extolling * the Virgin who nurses Him. [SD]

Oikos.

Perceiving the splendor of your childbirth shine forth, O Virgin, God-loving Abraham and the renowned Isaac and Jacob and the entire choir of saints assembled by God all rejoice. They have brought creation to greet you with joyful words. For you are the cause of joy for all, having conceived in your womb the very One who was seen in Babylon of old, and in a manner passing all understanding preserved unscathed the Servants who were thrown unjustly into the furnace. Therefore they sing praises to the One who was seen in the arms of the Maiden, extolling the Virgin who nurses Him. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 21 we commemorate the holy Martyr Julianna.

On this day we also commemorate the holy 500 Martyrs who believed through St. Julianna and died by the sword in Nicomedia.

On this day the holy 130 Martyrs died by the sword in Nicomedia.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyr Themistocles.

On this day, the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, we have been enjoined by our holy and God-bearing Fathers to commemorate all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke enumerated in historical order; and also the Prophets and Prophetesses.

We commemorate Adam and Eve, the first fashioned.

We commemorate the righteous Abel, the son of Adam.

We commemorate the righteous Seth, the son of Adam.

We commemorate the righteous Enosh, the son of Seth.

We commemorate the righteous Cainan, the son of Enosh.

We commemorate the righteous Mahalalel, the son of Cainan.

We commemorate the righteous Jared, the son of Mahalalel.

We commemorate the righteous Enoch, the son of Jared.

We commemorate the righteous Methuselah, the son of Enoch.

We commemorate the righteous Lamech, the son of Methuselah.

We commemorate the righteous Noah, the son of Lamech.

We commemorate the righteous Shem, the son of Noah.

We commemorate the righteous Japheth, the son of Noah.

We commemorate the righteous Arphaxad, the son of Shem.

We commemorate the righteous Cainan, the son of Arphaxad.

We commemorate the righteous Shelah, the son of Cainan.

We commemorate the righteous Eber, from whom the Jews were called Hebrews.

We commemorate the righteous Peleg, the son of Eber.

We commemorate Reu, the son of Peleg.

We commemorate the righteous Serug, the son of Reu.

We commemorate the righteous Nahor, the son of Serug.

We commemorate the righteous Terah, the son of Nahor.

We commemorate the righteous Patriarch Abraham, the son of Terah.

We commemorate the Patriarch Isaac, the son of Abraham.

We commemorate the Patriarch Jacob, the son of Isaac.

We commemorate the Patriarch Reuben, the son of Jacob.

We commemorate the Patriarch Simeon, the son of Jacob.

We commemorate the Patriarch Levi, the son of Jacob.

We commemorate the Patriarch Judah, the son of Jacob, from whose tribe Christ was born.

We commemorate the Patriarch Zebulun, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was by the sea.

We commemorate the Patriarch Issachar, the son of Jacob, whose tribe cultivated the earth.

We commemorate the Patriarch Dan, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was the tribe of Judges.

We commemorate the Patriarch Gad, the son of Jacob, whose tribe is plundered and plundering.

We commemorate the Patriarch Asher, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was wealthy in wheatlands.

We commemorate the Patriarch Naphtali, the son of Jacob, whose tribe became a great multitude.

We commemorate the Patriarch Joseph, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was right glorious and illustrious.

We commemorate the Patriarch Benjamin, the son of Jacob, whose tribe, though once fierce, became gentle.

We commemorate Perez and Zerah, the twins, the sons of Judah the Patriarch.

We commemorate Hezron, the son of Perez.

We commemorate Ram, the son of Hezron.

We commemorate Amminadab, the son of Ram.

We commemorate Nahshon, the son of Amminadab.

We commemorate Salmon, the son of Nahshon.

We commemorate Boaz, the son of Salmon.

We commemorate Obed, the son of Boaz by Ruth.

We commemorate Jesse, the son of Obed.

We commemorate David the King, the son of Jesse.

We commemorate Solomon the King, the son of David.

We commemorate Rehoboam the King, the son of Solomon.

We commemorate Abijah the King, the son of Rehoboam.

We commemorate Asa the King, the son of Abijah.

We commemorate Jehoshaphat the King, the son of Asa.

We commemorate Joram the King, the son of Jehoshaphat.

We commemorate Uzziah the King, the son of Joram.

We commemorate Jotham the King, the son of Uzziah.

We commemorate Ahaz the King, the son of Jotham.

We commemorate Hezekiah the King, the son of Ahaz.

We commemorate Manasseh the King, the son of Hezekiah.

We commemorate Amon the King, the son of Manasseh.

We commemorate Josiah the King son of Amon.

We commemorate Jeconiah the King, the son of Josiah.

We commemorate Shealtiel, the son of Jeconiah.

We commemorate Zerubbabel, who again raised up the Temple in Jerusalem when it had been burned.

We commemorate Abiud, the son of Zerubbabel.

We commemorate Eliakim, the son of Abiud.

We commemorate Azor, the son of Eliakim.

We commemorate Zadok, the son of Azor.

We commemorate Achim, the son of Zadok.

We commemorate Eliud, the son of Achim.

We commemorate Eleazar, the son of Eliud.

We commemorate Matthan, the son of Eleazar.

We commemorate Jacob, the son of Matthan.

We commemorate Joseph the Betrothed, the son of Jacob.

We commemorate the righteous Melchizedek.

We commemorate the righteous Job.

We commemorate the Prophet Moses, and Hur and Aaron the Priests.

We commemorate Joshua the son of Nun.

We commemorate the holy Prophet Samuel.

We commemorate the Prophet Nathan.

We commemorate the holy Prophet Daniel.

We commemorate the holy Three Servants.

We commemorate the righteous Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

We commemorate the righteous Rebecca, the wife of Isaac.

We commemorate the righteous Leah, the first wife of Jacob.

We commemorate the righteous Rachel, the second wife of Jacob.

We commemorate the righteous Asenath, the wife of Joseph the All-comely.

We commemorate the righteous Miriam, the sister of Moses.

We commemorate the righteous Deborah, who judged Israel.

We commemorate the righteous Ruth.

We commemorate the righteous Widow of Zarephath, unto whom Elijah was sent.

We commemorate the righteous Shunammite Woman, the gave hospitality to Elisha.

We commemorate the righteous Judith, who slew Holofernes.

We commemorate the righteous Esther, who delivered Israel from death.

We commemorate the righteous Hannah, the mother of Samuel the Prophet.

We commemorate the righteous Susanna.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Christmas I

Ode i. 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 iii.

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 iv.

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 v.

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 vi.

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 vii.

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 viii.

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]

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 6

Luke. 24:36 – 53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city of Jerusalem, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. [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; all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, 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.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

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 1.

O my soul, magnify the woman who is higher in honor and in glory than the armies of heaven.

I see here a new and paradoxical mystery. * For the cave resembles heaven, * the Virgin, the cherubic throne, * the manger, a grand space, * in which He whom nothing can contain was laid, Christ our God; * whom we extol in song and magnify. [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.

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 - - -

Exaposteilarion.

Eothinon 6.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Proving to Your disciples that * You are human in essence, * O Savior, You partook of food * after Your resurrection. * You stood among them and taught them * that they should preach repentance. * You promised them that You would send * the Holy Spirit. Then You were lifted up * and ascended to the heavenly Father. * O God, beyond divine, and man, * glory to Your resurrection! [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefathers.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

The foremost of the Patriarchs,* Fathers before the Law came,* brightly shone forth by means of faith,* Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,* as very bright luminaries.* Thereafter all the Prophets* and all the Righteous were from them* lit up as lamps, and thus they began to shine;* Therefore by the rays of their God-inspired* Prophecy they illumined all* the bedarkened creation. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

For the Forefeast.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

O Bethlehem, rejoice; and you * Ephrata, now make ready. * The Theotokos comes to give * birth unto God ineffably * in a cave and a manger. * O! what an awesome mystery. * Prophets and all the Patriarchs, * Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the rest, * now together merrily keep the Forefeast * of His divine Nativity* with mankind and the angels. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 3.

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]

Show 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.

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From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Stichera.

Mode 3.

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

O come, all you nations. Know the power of the awe-inspiring mystery. For Christ our Savior, the Logos who was in the beginning, for us voluntarily was crucified and buried, and He rose from the dead, all to save the universe. Come and let us worship Him. [GOASD]

Mode 3.

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

The soldiers who had guarded You, O Lord, reported all the marvelous events that had taken place. But that vain council filled their right hand with bribes, thinking that in this way they could hide Your resurrection, which the world glorifies. Have mercy on us. [GOASD]

Mode 3.

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

The universe is filled with joy since it experienced Your resurrection. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She found an Angel sitting on the stone. He was shining like lightning in dazzling apparel, and he said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. He is going before you to Galilee.” [GOASD]

Mode 3.

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

In Your light we shall see light, O benevolent Master. For You rose from the dead, granting salvation to the human race, so that all creation may glorify You, the only One who is without sin. Have mercy on us! [GOASD]

For the Forefathers.

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

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

Zion the holy city of God, * lift up your voices, truly heralding the divine * memorial of the Fathers, * as you pay honor to them, * Abraham and Isaac, with Jacob the acclaimed. * With Judah and Levi, behold we now also magnify * Moses the great one, along with Aaron the God-inspired, * and we honor David and Joshua and Samuel. * All of us, striking up divine * and sacred forefestal hymns * in praise of Christ, are in earnest * entreating Him that we may obtain * the gift of His goodness * that derives from Him who grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]

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

Zion the holy city of God, * lift up your voices, truly heralding the divine * memorial of the Fathers, * as you pay honor to them, * Abraham and Isaac, with Jacob the acclaimed. * With Judah and Levi, behold we now also magnify * Moses the great one, along with Aaron the God-inspired, * and we honor David and Joshua and Samuel. * All of us, striking up divine * and sacred forefestal hymns * in praise of Christ, are in earnest * entreating Him that we may obtain * the gift of His goodness * that derives from Him who grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, for You are praiseworthy and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

Come now Prophet Elias who once * became the rider of the divine fiery chariot, * Elisha the godly-minded, * and Hezekiah as well, * with Josiah also, together rejoice. * And you the august band of dozen Prophets inspired by God, * join in the chorus for the Savior’s Nativity, * and you Righteous all sing His praises in holy song. * Trinity of the blessed Youths * who put out the furnace fire * with the dew of the Spirit, * make supplication on our behalf * to Christ importunely * and implore Him that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]

Verse: For You are righteous in all You did for us. [SAAS]

She who from all the ages on earth * in the predictions of the Prophets is heralded, * the Virgin and Theotokos, * has now appeared, whom the wise * Patriarchs and Righteous openly declare. * With them joining chorus is the adornment of womanhood, * Sarah, Rebecca, also Rachel and Hannah too, * as well as Moses’ sister the glorious Miriam. * With them together now exult * the far reaches of the world, * and all creation rejoices. * For His nativity in the flesh * is God himself coming, * and in order to bestow His great mercy on the world. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Glory. For the Forefathers.

Mode pl. 4.

The collection of the teachings of the Law makes Christ’s divine Nativity in the flesh apparent to those who preached the gospel of Grace before the Law was given and were above the Law by virtue of their faith. Therefore to the souls held in Hades, they announced the Nativity beforehand, that it would be the cause of the deliverance from corruption, through the resurrection. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

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]