Books - Sources

Menaion - December 22

Memory of the St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria

__________

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: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray 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

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. 2.

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

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. When the saints deposited.

Ὅλην ἀποθέμενοι.

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

Now the Sun that never sets is very close to emerging * from His virgin Mother's womb, * to enlighten all the earth with the light of truth. * With our eyes purified, and with chaste behaviors, * let us all hasten to welcome Him; * and let us be prepared * to receive in spirit the One who comes * to His own people first of all, * as He was well pleased, by a novel birth, * that He might restore us to life in Paradise, from which we fell, * for He is good and compassionate, * being born in Bethlehem. [GOASD]

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

God the Word, who rides upon the Cherubim, is united * to flesh hypostatically, * and He dwells inside a pure and unblemished womb. * Now that He has become human, He is coming * to the land of Judah to be born. * O holy Cave, prepare * to serve as a glorious residence * and palace for the King of all, * and you, humble Manger, as fiery throne, * on which Virgin Mary will put the baby Jesus as He lays * in His good pleasure, in order to refashion the work of His hands. [GOASD]

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

O eternal Word of God, who have assumed a beginning * ineffably, You were laid * by the Virgin in the trough of irrationals, * to release me from that state of impaired reason, * which I fell into by the serpent’s spite. * You will be swaddled in * bands so as to tear up the bands and chains * of all my sins that tied me down. * Only You are good and benevolent; * hence I glorify You and worship You and joyfully extol * Your incarnation and birth, O Lord, * by which You have set me free. [GOASD]

For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

Πανεύφημοι μάρτυρες.

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

Your virtues are beautiful, O Saint, * and your feats of martyrdom * are world-renowned and all-glorious, and famous far and wide * is your strong confession. * Many are your miracles * and countless the divine signs the Lord has wrought, by which He glorifies * you, O Martyr, who glorified Him * with your holy body that endured much pain. [GOASD]

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

Desiring the glory and the fame * of the Martyrs, you were quick * to imitate their ardor and zeal. And therefore you endured * excruciating torture. * And now you alleviate * our every pain and sickness of soul and body, O all-lauded Saint, * by the grace that God has given you; * and we honor your virtue and martyrdom. [GOASD]

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

You finished your contest, and you shone * even brighter than the sun, * and by the rays of your many and marvelous miracles, * you, O Saint, illumine * the perceptions and the thoughts * of all of us who come to your sacred tomb, with faith that it pours out * streams and rivers of the grace of God. * Anastasia the Martyr, your name is great. [GOASD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

O all-lauded Saint Anastasia, your name means resurrection, and you received the gift of resurrection, when you won the race of martyrdom. You vanquished the horde of demons, and sent them to the abyss, O marvelous medal-winning Martyr. [SD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

O unwedded Virgin, where are you from? Who is your father, and who is your mother? How is it that you carry the Creator in your arms? How was your womb not impaired? Great and extraordinary and awesome mysteries we see taking place in you on earth, O All-holy Maiden, and we prepare for you, as is our duty; from the earth, we ready the Grotto; and from heaven we request that the Star be granted. Magi are coming westward from the land of the East, to see the Salvation of mortals, nursing as an infant. [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. [HC]

CHOIR: Amen.

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: 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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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.

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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 of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

Christ is arriving soon * to crush the wicked devil, * illumine those in darkness, * and rescue the imprisoned. * Let us proceed to welcome Him. [GOASD]

Verse: God will come from Teman, the Holy One from the mount of shaded leafy trees. [SAAS]

Gentiles and nations, sing * your hymns of praise and glory. * Bearing your gifts, O Magi, * and Shepherds, who are watching * your flocks, go to Him eagerly. [GOASD]

Verse: Lord, I have heard Your report and was afraid; I considered Your works and was greatly astonished. [SAAS]

Mountains and all the hills, * the plains and all the valleys, * rivers and all creation, * now magnify your Maker, * who comes for His nativity. [GOASD]

Glory. For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

You were named for the life-bearing resurrection of Christ, O august Martyr, and you led a life worthy of your name. You steeled your feminine nature, and you became manly in mind. You prepared a mantle for yourself, dying it purple with your blood; and you clasped the cross as a royal scepter, and you reign with God our Savior. O all-blessed Anastasia, entreat Him for us, that we too may be illumined by His divine glory. [SD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

O Isaiah, dance for joy, and receive the word of God. Prophesy to the Virgin Mary, that she will be the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire and the light of the Godhead. Bethlehem, prepare. Eden, open your gate. Magi, proceed, to see salvation in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The star stood over where He was and revealed Him, the Lord and giver of life, who saves our human race. [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]

From Menaion - - -

Three-ode Canon of the Forefeast.

CHOIR

Ode iii.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

You strengthened me on the rock of faith, O Savior. * You made me smile at my enemies and deride them. * My spirit is rejoicing, as I am singing, * “No one is holy like our God, * and no one is righteous but You, O Lord.” (2) [GOASD]

Glory.

In vain does the council of unlawful Herod * assemble to plot with murderous intentions * to kill the Master who was born as an infant. * O Christ. We sing to You * and say, “You are our God, * and no one is holy but You, O Lord.” [GOASD]

Both now.

Today, the wicked council of lawless Herod, * whose soul opposes God, confers in order * to kill the Master together with the infants. * O Christ, we sing to You * and say, “You are our God, * and no one is holy but You, O Lord.” [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode viii.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

When the decree of the tyrant prevailed of old, * the fiery furnace was heated to sevenfold strength. * The three Servants did not burn therein, * when they defied the king’s pronouncement; * but they cried out and sang, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Come let us pour out our tears like costly fragrant oil * to Christ who is born in the flesh for our sake, * Let us purify our flesh of every stain * and purely approach the immaculate One, * as we cry out and sing, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Glory.

Come, fellow sinners, repent with compunctious tears * that we escape the tears of hell and perdition to come. * Let us follow in the steps of Jesus Christ, * who is wrapped in swaddling clothes as an infant, * as we cry out and sing, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

Both now.

Knowing that the sacrament of our ransom * is accomplished through repentance and an abundance of tears, * and also through confession, come, O believers, * let us cleanse ourselves and thus go to Christ, who is born in the flesh, * as we cry out and sing, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode ix.

Heirmos. Mode 2.

With souls that are pure, let us open unpolluted lips, * and come, let us magnify the all-immaculate * and most pure, all-holy Mother of Emmanuel, * as through her we offer up * intercession to Him, the Son she bore. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Ungrateful and jealous let nobody prove to be * who today is offering the gifts befitting God, * and is singing to Christ who is born now. * Instead of frankincense and gold and myrrh bring the fragrance of virtue. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [GOASD]

Glory.

Speaking to the Wise Men, Herod said with hardened heart, * “Go and search diligently for the newborn King, * and when you have found him, return here and bring me word.” * All along that awful man was plotting murder Him in cold blood. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [GOASD]

Both now.

Oh the shameless act of your blinding infanticide! * Therefore you forgot the fact that you could not take God * into your control and then destroy Him. * Seething with anger and rage, * you slaughtered the innocents, O Herod. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [GOASD]

Heirmos.

With souls that are pure, let us open unpolluted lips, * and come, let us magnify the all-immaculate * and most pure, all-holy Mother of Emmanuel, * as through her we offer up * intercession to Him, the Son she bore. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [GOASD]

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.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

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]

Glory. For the Holy Woman.

Mode 4.

Your maiden Martyr, like a lamb, cries out, “O Jesus, for You, * my pure Bridegroom, I long; and seeking You I compete; * and I am crucified and buried with You in Your baptism. * I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You. * I die for You that I may also live in You. * Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice * as I offer myself to You with love.” * At her entreaties and intercessions, * save our souls, O Merciful Lord. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

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]

(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, 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.