Books - Sources

Menaion - December 22

Memory of the St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

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]

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 Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Rejoice and make merry in godly song: ⁄ Today the Creator, Christ the Lord, the Son of my God, ⁄ comes forth from the womb of the pure Virgin, ⁄ making the entire human race immortal. ⁄ He frees us from the curse of our first mother Eve: ⁄ Let us praise Him, ⁄⁄ for He is the only merciful Lover of mankind! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Rejoice and make merry in godly song: ⁄ Today the Creator, Christ the Lord, the Son of my God, ⁄ comes forth from the womb of the pure Virgin, ⁄ making the entire human race immortal. ⁄ He frees us from the curse of our first mother Eve: ⁄ Let us praise Him, ⁄⁄ for He is the only merciful Lover of mankind! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. N/M (On this day.)

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

Today the righteous Joseph cries out singing: ⁄ I see a Virgin with child become the temple of the Lord! ⁄ She bears Him Who comes in compassion to save all mankind, ⁄ as we sing hymns to Him, ⁄⁄ restoring us as temples of divine glory! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Today the righteous Joseph cries out singing: ⁄ I see a Virgin with child become the temple of the Lord! ⁄ She bears Him Who comes in compassion to save all mankind, ⁄ as we sing hymns to Him, ⁄⁄ restoring us as temples of divine glory! [OCA]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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. [SAAS]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

Τὰ ἄνω ζητῶν.

When we find ourselves in trouble and adversity, * we run to your church for recourse, and we all receive * the divine healings and cures * of the grace of God that truly dwells in you. * O Anastasia, forevermore * you pour out the healings for all the world. [GOASD]

Oikos.

O Martyr, you were named in Greek for the Lord’s Resurrection. Now I who have fallen pray you resurrect me, by your intercession. Let a drop of your miracles drip into my soul, and extinguish the fire of my terrible sins. For every day you free people throughout the world from many kinds of suffering, which I, too, experience. You grant all things to all people, and you pour out the healings for all the world. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 22, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Anastasia Pharmacolytria.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Chrysogonos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Theodota and her children.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Zoilos.

On this day was the door-opening of the Great Church of God.

On this day was the procession with lights at the Church of God.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Οἱ θεοῤῥήμονες Παῖδες.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Those Servants, speaking from God, in the furnace trampled * the fire and also the error * and the deception and they sang, “All you works of the Lord, praise and bless the Lord.” [SD]

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 pl. 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Κυρίως Θεοτόκον.

You are the Theotokos * lit’rally, O Virgin; * and we confess it, for we have been saved through you * whom we, O pure one, with choirs of angels magnify. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. 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]

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.

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Glorious virgin martyr Saint, * pride of the medal winners, * O Anastasia, shrewd and wise, * please never cease imploring the Son of the holy Virgin * and all-pure Theotokos, * who is proceeding to be born * in the cave and the manger, and who forgives * sins of all who keep today your all-holy * memory and who honor you * and extol you with longing. [GOASD]

For the Forefeast.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Your glowing sacred memory * each year heralds the coming * of the Nativity of Christ, * who was born of the Virgin in Bethlehem; and it summons * Wise Men of Persia bearing * gifts, and the shepherds with the hosts * of Angels singing “Gloria!” And instead * of gold, myrrh, and frankincense, you competed * and to the Master gave yourself, * O Martyr Anastasia. [GOASD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 2.

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.

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

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.

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

Now the mists and reflections of old are dispersed: ⁄ The Virgin bears in her womb ⁄ the stone cut from the mountain without human hands, ⁄ the root of Jesse which sprouted, ⁄ the dew which came to earth for the deliverance of Gideon: ⁄ Cry out in expectation, O peoples, ⁄⁄ for Christ, the King of Israel, draws near. [OCA]

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

Oh behold a strange, unheard-of birth! ⁄ How does He Who sits in council on high with the Father ⁄ come to be born and laid in a manger of dumb beasts? ⁄ How is the unapproachable one wrapped in swaddling clothes? ⁄ How is He Who fills all things contained in the cave? ⁄ Cry out in expectation, O peoples, ⁄⁄ for Christ, the King of Israel, draws near. [OCA]

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

Prepare for the mighty Lord, the worker of wonders, ⁄ Who smote the men of Egypt with plagues, ⁄ Who rained manna upon the stiff-necked people in the wilderness: ⁄ Now He takes flesh and is fed with milk as a Babe! ⁄ The searcher of the hearts of men flees the pursuit of Herod, ⁄ up-borne by the Virgin Mother as on a swift throne of cloud, ⁄⁄ as Isaiah the God-seer prophesied of old. [OCA]

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

Quail, rulers, for the King of the ages wills to come as a first-born child! ⁄ Behold, peoples; a Son is given to us! ⁄ Give ear, O Israel! ⁄ Understand and submit yourselves, for God is with us; ⁄ the Lord Who threshes and winnows the ends of the earth, ⁄⁄ having dominion and authority over all who do not yield to Him. [OCA]

Glory. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Recognize that He will shepherd faithless Israel with a rod of iron; ⁄ He will judge those who strove against the prophets, ⁄ for the Father has given the inheritance to His only-begotten Son: ⁄ All nations and the ends of the earth are His possession. ⁄ He will crush you, Herod the murderer: ⁄ you would not believe, crying out, ⁄⁄ Christ, the King of Israel, draws near. [OCA]

Both now. N/M (O angelic powers.)

So now David, leap for joy; ⁄ Christ comes forth from your loins! ⁄ Rejoice, Jesse; your root is blossoming; ⁄ Judah, the Lord receives your scepter! ⁄ Remember, peoples, the oracle of Balaam; ⁄ behold the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled! ⁄ The most holy Virgin gives birth to a child: ⁄⁄ His name is Emmanuel! [OCA]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the 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 of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; 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. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our morning 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 day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to 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)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST (aloud)

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. N/M (O House of Ephratha.)

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

The star shines brightly; ⁄ the cavern is radiant; ⁄ the Magi advance with gifts. ⁄ With the shepherds and the angels, ⁄⁄ they prepare the way of the Lord. [OCA]

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

The vault of the heavens ⁄ is illumined by the star. ⁄ The assembly of angelic hosts ⁄ comes to proclaim on earth ⁄⁄ the glad tidings of the birth of Christ. [OCA]

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

Rejoice, O Bethlehem; ⁄ no longer are you the least ⁄ of the princes of Judah, ⁄ for the shepherd of Israel ⁄⁄ draws near to be born in you. [OCA]

Glory. For the Holy Woman.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Today is a forefestal day, before the feast of the incarnation of Christ God. It is distinguished, for it coincides with the feast of the all-lauded Martyr Anastasia. Behold, the Virgin is heading to Bethlehem to lay her Infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, in a manger of irrational beasts. He is the One who freed us from the primal curse and who saves our souls. [GOASD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

“Joseph, be not sad as you see me pregnant. For you will rejoice when you see the child born of me, and you will worship Him as God.” Thus spoke the Theotokos to her betrothed, as she was on her way to give birth to Christ. Let us extol her and say, “Rejoice, Virgin full of grace! The Lord is with you, and through you is with us too.” [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion. For the 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.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

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.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

Dismissal

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.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

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

CHOIR: Amen.