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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - December 26-31

Sunday After Christmas. We commemorate the holy and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James (Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord.

__________

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 4.

When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!” [GOASD]

Glory. For the Ancestors of God.

Mode 2.

Annunciate the miracles to David the ancestor of God, O Joseph. You saw the Virgin pregnant. You glorified with the shepherds. You worshipped with the Magi. And you were warned by an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [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 4.

Looking up at the entrance to the sepulcher, then unable to endure the Angel’s radiance, the Myrrh-bearing Women were frightened; and perplexed they said, “Has He been stolen, who opened Paradise to the Robber? Has He arisen, who before His Passion announced His rising?” Indeed, Christ God has truly risen, granting life and resurrection to those in the netherworld. [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

By Your voluntary will, O Savior, You endured the Cross, * In a new tomb mortal men buried Your body, O Lord, * who by a word had created the universe. * Death, the ancient foe, was restrained by You * and forcefully deprived of the spoils it had. * And all the souls in Hades sang and glorified * Your resurrection, which gave them life, * “Christ the Giver of Life has risen! * And He abides forever!” [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Come, believers, let us see the place where Christ has been born.* With the Magi, those three kings who from the orient are,* now let us follow to where the star is proceeding.* Ceaselessly do Angels sing praises there.* Shepherds in the field sing a worthy song,* saying: Glory in the highest be to Him who* was born today in the grotto* from the Virgin and Theotokos,* in Bethlehem of Judea. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

You rose, as immortal Savior, from the netherworld, * and with yourself You also raised Your world by Your resurrection, O Christ our God. * Mightily You shattered the power of death, O Master. * Merciful Lord, You showed to all the resurrection. * Therefore we glorify You, only benevolent God. [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

From exalted heights above Gabriel came down to earth; * and he sat upon the rock wherein the Rock of life had lain. * Arrayed in white, he cried out to the weeping women, * “Women, even though you are emotional, * You no longer need to lament and mourn. * No more weeping, for the One you are seeking * has truly risen, so be of good cheer. * And go and tell it to His Apostles, * that the Lord has truly risen.” [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Mary, why are you amazed and awed by what was done in you? * And she answers, “For in time I have brought forth a timeless Son. * But I have no understanding of His conception. * Husbandless am I: how can I bear a son? * Who has ever seen seedless childbirth? * But where God wills, the order found in nature * is overcome, as it is written.” * So Christ was born from the Virgin Maiden, * in Bethlehem of Judea. [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

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 4.

The Myrrh-bearing Women hurried to declare the matter of Your paradoxal rising to Your Apostles, O Christ, that You rose, as God, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

Antiphon 1. Mode 4.

From my youth, many passions war against me. O my Savior, I implore You, uphold me and save me. [GOASD]

You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead. [GOASD]

Antiphon 2.

I have cried to You, O Lord, from the depth of my soul with fervor. Let Your divine ears be attentive to me. [GOASD]

Everyone who has their hope in the Lord is higher than anything that could sadden them. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

From the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well forth; they water all creation, so that life be engendered. [GOASD]

Antiphon 3.

Let my heart be lifted up to You, O Logos; and none of the world’s delights will entice me to be earthly-minded. [GOASD]

Whereas one has filial affection for his mother, for the Lord we ought to have a love even more fervent. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

In the Holy Spirit is the wealth of knowledge of God, contemplation and wisdom. For in Him the Logos discloses all the dogmas of the Father. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

Arise, O Lord; help us, and redeem us, because of the glory of Your name. (2)

Verse: O God, we heard with our ears.

Arise, O Lord; help us, and redeem us, because of the glory of Your name. [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 John.

DEACON: Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon 7

John. 20:1 – 10

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. [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 and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King, and James (Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord, 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

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode i. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θαλάσσης τὸ ἐρυθραῖον.

The Red Sea was crossed by ancient Israel. They walked across dry ground, * when Moses stretched his hand over the sea * with his rod, in the form of a cross; * and likewise in the wilderness, they put to flight the hosts of Amalek. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Master, You remedied our ancient fall, * when You were lifted up; * You cured our utter ruin at the tree * by the pure and immaculate tree * of Your all-holy Cross, O Lord, * who are almighty and benevolent. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

In body You were inside the tomb; as God You were in hell with Your soul * and with the Robber in Paradise. * You were also on the throne, O Christ, * with the Father and the Spirit, * filling all things as One uncircumscribed. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

The Father so willed, and by the Holy Spirit without seed you conceived * the Son of God and bore Him in the flesh, * whom the Father begot without * a mother, and whom you brought forth * without a father, for the sake of all. [SD]

Ode 1: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Χριστὸς γεννᾶται.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O blessed servant of Christ, O minister of Christ incarnate, O supposed father of Christ, as you stand near Him with confidence, pray for peace and deliverance from hardships for those who extol you. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Joseph, you were obedient to the words of God, a minister of marvellous things, the Betrothed of the Virgin Mother of God, and righteous and true in all things. Now you have found rest in the dwellings of the righteous. [SD]

Glory.

You were counted worthy to see Christ when He became an infant in our form, and you were called His father. Your glory is truly great! Your dignity is greater than all! Therefore, we extol you. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure and virgin Maiden, you gave birth to Christ in the flesh in Bethlehem, and you wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. And Joseph, amazed at His advent, magnified and worshiped His power with fear. [SD]

Ode 1: Katavasia

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Working signs of old, the Master saved the people * In the wilderness, by turning the sea into dry land. * Today, being willingly born of a Virgin, * He lays a path to heaven for us, who therefore * Praise Him, equal in essence to the Father and to humanity. [GOASD]

Ode 3: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Εὐφραίνεται ἐπὶ σοί.

Your Church rejoices in You, O Christ our God, and she cries out to You, * “You are my mighty strength, O Lord, * and You are my refuge and firm support.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The Savior, whom we perceive * to be the tree of life, the true Vine himself, * was on the Cross crucified, * to all pouring out immortality. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

As God who is incorrupt, * the Lord has risen from the tomb bodily. * He humbled hell’s haughtiness, * for He is our great and terrific God. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Through you only we on earth * procure divine and supernatural gifts, * all-holy Mother of God. * Therefore we salute you and sing, “Rejoice!” [SD]

Ode 3: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Τῷ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Of the Son, begotten * without flux, of the Father, before the ages, * and who was lately made incarnate * of the Virgin ineffably, * you were called father, and you witnessed the awesome mystery, O glorious and blessed Joseph. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O wise Joseph, when He was born of a Virgin, you held in your arms the One, before whom, as uncircumscribable God, the hosts on high tremble. You were sanctified by touching Him. And therefore, we honor you. [SD]

Glory.

O wise Joseph, the supernal mystery, which was not revealed to former generations, was entrusted to your heart, for you were shown to be pure. Through this mystery we have all been saved, and we faithfully glorify your luminous and divine memory. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure Virgin, righteous Joseph looked at you Son, who took flesh from your pure blood, and who was born in a cave and laid in a manger; and he magnified with hymns who appeared like us. [SD]

Ode 3: Katavasia

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Incline Your ear to the hymns of us Your servants. * Subdue the arrogant contempt of the foe. * Exalt us who sing to You, all-seeing Benefactor, * To be unshaken and confirmed on the foundation of the Faith, * High above sin, and strengthened, O blessed 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.

Secondary Kontakion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

He who saved and rescued me has resurrected from the tomb and bonds of death those born on earth, for He is God. He smashed the gates of the netherworld, and on the third day, He rose, as the Lord of all. [GOASD]

Oikos.

Christ is the Giver of Life. He rose from the dead and the tomb, on the third day. He smashed the gates of death with His might today. He neutralized Hades and crushed the sting of death. And He freed Adam and Eve. Let all of us born on earth earnestly sing and praise Him with gratitude; for He is our one and mighty God, and on the third day He rose, as the Lord of all. [GOASD]

Mid-Ode Kathisma or Hypakoe

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. N/M (In heaven.)

Joseph, you were truly a servant of the heavenly Father, and you were thought to be the father of His unoriginate Son who become an infant in the flesh. Therefore we celebrate your all-holy memory today with gladness of heart, and we extol you faithfully. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Another.

Mode 1. N/M (In heaven.)

O all-holy Virgin, the choir of Prophets, divinely inspired, celebrates the miracle that was accomplished in you; for you gave birth to God who was incarnate on earth. Magi with faith join Joseph in telling the ineffable wonders to David the ancestor of God. [SD]

Ode 4: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iv. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐπαρθέντα σε ἰδοῦσα.

When the Church beheld You raised on the Cross unjustly, * O Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, crucified for our sake, * she stood in her course, like the moon, * and fittingly cried aloud, * “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You were crucified, O Savior, to cure my passions * by what You suffered in Your all-immaculate body, * which You voluntarily put on. So we sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Almighty Master, when death had tasted Your sinless * and life-giving body, it was fittingly embittered * and utterly put to death. And we now sing out to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Remaining virgin, you conceived in your womb, O Virgin, * and even after childbirth, you remained a virgin. * Therefore with unwavering faith, O Lady, unceasingly * singing, we salute you: Rejoice! [SD]

Ode 4: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Ῥάβδος ἐκ τῆς ῥίζης.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O blessed Joseph, when your mind was obedient to the divine commands, and you became wholly pure, you were betrothed to Mary, who alone was pure and blameless among women, and you kept her a pure virgin, so that she could receive the Creator. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O renowned and blessed Joseph, the only surpassingly awesome mystery, that would triumph over the only destroyer and prince of darkness, was entrusted in heaven only to Gabriel, and, after her who knew not wedlock, only to you. [SD]

Glory.

O blessed Joseph, you became a luminous and animate temple of the Creator, because you were diligent in godly deeds; and you were found worthy to receive the only Ever-virgin among women from the holy temple. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

The invisible Archangel came to you visibly to dispel every doubt from your mind, and to say to you, “Joseph, do not be afraid now to take the immaculate Mary; for in her womb she holds the One who by His divine power holds everything.” [SD]

Ode 4: Katavasia

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Of old, Habakkuk’s ode predicted the human * Race’s remaking, for as a Prophet he was granted * Numinous portents: God the Logos as a newborn * Infant emerging from an overshadowed mountain, * Namely the Virgin, to refashion humanity. [GOASD]

Ode 5: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode v. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Σὺ Κύριέ μου φῶς.

My Lord, You are the light. * Holy light, to the world You came * to turn people from the darkness * and the night of not knowing. And now in faith we sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

With sympathy for us * You descended to earth, O Lord. * You lifted humanity’s fallen nature * when You were suspended on the Cross, O Christ. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, You took away * every charge against me for sins. * By Your divine resurrection, * O compassionate Savior, You ended the distress of death. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Against our every foe, * we have you, our unbreakable shield. * We hope in you for salvation. * We have you as our anchor, all-holy Virgin, Bride of God. [SD]

Ode 5: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Θεὸς ὢν εἰρήνης.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O wise Joseph, you shone with meekness, and you were named the father of Christ who was meek in word. And now you dwell in the land of the meek. You were sanctified by holding Him in your arms; you were glorified by seeing Him wrapped in mortal flesh. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O Joseph, as a minister of the incomprehensible mystery, you lead the Maiden who alone is pure, as if she were a divine cloud concealing the Sun in her bosom, from the city of David to Egypt, so that her Son might dispel the darkness of idolatry there. [SD]

Glory.

All-blessed Joseph, you were righteous, and you walked in the righteous ways of the righteous Master, who rightly judged you worthy to minister faithfully to such a fearful mystery of the ineffable childbirth, by which we mortals have been justified. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

AS the Prophet said, a virgin conceived God Emmanuel in her womb, who is by nature uncircumscribable. The divine and renowned Joseph was taught this by an Angel as he slept by night, because he did not understand. [SD]

Ode 5: Katavasia

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Now rising to You, O Christ, from the night of sinning — * Iniquitous misdeeds, bedarkened by error, — * To extol You, our Benefactor, we pray that You grant us * Your mercy, and come to us and make the path easy, * So that ascending by it we may attain to glory. [GOASD]

Ode 6: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vi. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θύσω σοι μετὰ φωνῆς.

“I will sacrifice to You, O Lord, with a voice of praise.” * So sings the Church You delivered * from the gore of sacrificing to demons; * for You cleansed her * by the blood that for mercy poured out from Your side. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Savior, You went up on the Cross, having girt yourself * with might, and wrestled the tyrant; * and as God from heaven, You took him down. * As for Adam, Your invincible hand resurrected him. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, dazzling and handsome, You rose from the sepulcher; * and by divine might and power, * You utterly scattered all Your opponents; * and as God You filled all things with divine joy and happiness. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O miracle, more novel than all other miracles! * Behold, without man a Virgin * in her body conceived the One who holds * in His hands the universe, and He was not confined by her. [SD]

Ode 6: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Σπλάγχνων Ἰωνᾶν.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

The eternal God the Logos of the Father came to us strangers by a strange birth from the Maiden Mother of God. And you, all-blessed Joseph, obeying God’s instructions, took Him and joyfully made a strange journey down to Egypt with Him. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O wise Joseph, You stood before God who had become an infant in the flesh, and like an Angel you ministered to Him. You were directly illumined by Him, receiving immaterial rays, and becoming wholly luminous in soul and heart, O blessed one. [SD]

Glory.

O all-lauded and truly righteous Joseph, the all-holy Betrothed of the all-holy Mother of God, you were wholly sanctified in soul and body by touching the Divine. And now that you have passed over into immaterial mansions, you sanctify those who celebrate your memory. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O all-lauded Joseph, you saw on earth Him who is beyond perfection, who sprang forth of the Father before all the ages, born as a new-born child of a pure Virgin. And you heard Angels praising Him as He lay in a manger in the cave. [SD]

Ode 6: Katavasia

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 1.

Gripped in the gorges of the sea, Jonah was praying * To rise above the peril round about and come to You. * However, I who am wounded by the dart of the devil, * Entreat You, O Christ the Destroyer of evil: * Without delaying come to me, before my negligence prevails. [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

From Menaion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 3. On this day.

Filled with joy of heart today is the divine Prophet David; Joseph and Iakovos together offer up praises. They received the crown of kinship with Christ the Savior and rejoice. To Him ineffably born on earth they cry out and extol Him without ceasing, * O Lord of mercy, save us who honor You. [SD]

Oikos.

By the ineffable will, born in the flesh is the fleshless One. In body now circumscribed is the Uncircumscribed, immutably preserving both essences. An origin receives He who in nature is unoriginate and alone transcends time. As an infant is perceived He who transcends perfection. Borne in arms is He who bears the universe. Therefore as God, by His birth He crowns those who have the honor of being His kin; whom we glorify with faith, as we cry without ceasing, * O Lord of mercy, save us who honor You. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 28 we commemorate the Holy 20,000 who burned in Nicomedia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs, who were in the Senate, who fled from the fire, died.

St. Indos, died by drowning in the sea.

Sts. Gorgon and Peter, died in the sea.

The holy Martyr Zeno, died by the sword.

The holy Martyr Mardonios, died by fire.

St. Dorotheos, the courtier, died by the sword.

St. Theophilos the Deacon, died by stoning.

St. Mygdonios died by being buried in a pit.

St. Glycerius the Priest, died by fire.

On this day St. Domna, was cut by the sword and died by fire.

The devout St. Simon the Myrrh-Streamer, the founder of the holy Monastery of Simonopetra on Athos reposed in peace.

On this Sunday after Christmas, we also commemorate the holy and righteous Ancestors of God: Joseph the Betrothed of our Lady the holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary; James (or Iakovos) the Brother of the Lord; and David the Prophet and king.

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

Ode 7: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐν τῇ καμίνῳ Ἀβραμιαῖοι.

Inside the furnace * in ancient Persia, sons of Abraham * were consumed with pious fear and the love of God * rather than the fiery flame, and sang * together, “In the temple of Your holy glory, You are blessed, O Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Having been washed clean * in the divine and holy blood of Christ, * humanity is called back to immortal life; * and with gratitude we sing to Him, * “O Savior, in the temple of Your holy glory, You are blessed, O Lord.” [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Your tomb was shown forth * to be more beautiful than Paradise * and by far more splendid than any king’s * royal chamber, for it hosted Life. * It is the source of our resurrection, O Christ, for You rose from it. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Divine and hallowed * habitation of the Most High God, rejoice! * For through you, O Theotokos, was given joy * unto us who cry aloud to you: * Among all women, Lady, you are blessed, all-blameless, and immaculate. [SD]

Ode 7: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Οἱ Παῖδες εὐσεβείᾳ.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O servant of Christ, you witnessed the fulfillment of what the God-inspired Prophets foretold. For you touched the infant Christ and, being pure in soul, you perceived Him to be the One whom they proclaimed, and who was to come from a pure Maiden. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O glorious Joseph, adorned with a blameless way of life, you became the guardian of a truly blameless virginity; and you were called the father of the Child that was born, and you were magnified by this august title. [SD]

Glory.

O all-blessed and praiseworthy Joseph, the unoriginate Father truly glorified you by making you a sacred minister of inexplicable mysteries. For His Son, who by a word framed heaven and earth and sea, is called the son of you, the carpenter. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure Maid full of the grace of God, Joseph the Righteous recognized you as the one prefigured in sacred symbols. For he obtained your honorable betrothal by lot and through a rod, and then remembered Aaron’s holy rod that had budded of old. [SD]

Ode 7: Katavasia

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

In Babylon, the three Servants were captivated, * Not by fear but by longing for the King of all. * And they disdained the angry tyrant’s ungodly * Nonsense. The inferno yielded to them as they sang * Declaring, “O Master, You are blessed unto the ages.” [GOASD]

Ode 8: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode viii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.

Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Master, when You stretched Your hands upon the Cross, You gathered all the nations to yourself. * You made them one holy Church, O Christ, * which is praising and extolling You, * with those in heaven and on earth * united and all together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

An Angel, his raiment white and dazzling with the resurrection’s unapproachable light, * appeared at the sepulcher * to the women, saying, “Why do you seek * among the dead the One who lives? * Christ has truly risen!” To whom we cry out, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Immaculate Virgin, in all generations only you became the Mother of God; * and you were also the dwelling place * of the Godhead, O all-blameless one, * and you were not at all consumed * by the fire of the unapproachable light. * We all now bless you, O Mary the Bride of God. [SD]

Ode 8: Menaion: Canon-1

From Menaion - - -

Canon for Joseph the Betrothed.

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

Θαύματος ὑπερφυοῦς.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

O all-blessed Joseph, precious indeed was your death in the sight of the Lord, for being wholly sanctified from infancy, you became the sacred guardian of the blessed Virgin; and with her you sang: Let all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Righteous Joseph most reverently intimately embraces and kisses as a babe Him before whom all the bodiless hosts tremble as God and Creator; and he receives noetic light as he sings: Let all creation bless the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Glory.

O blessed Joseph, you were moved with sweetest love as you stood like an angel before the incarnate God. You obeyed the divine commands made known to you through an Angel, that you should come up out of Egypt to the land of Israel with the Child and His Mother; and you returned with them, glorifying the Lord. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O wise Joseph, you saw the shadows of the Law dispersed when light of grace was poured out. You saw the Virgin, who like a bright cloud, made the spiritual Sun to rise in the flesh. An you, like a star, have illumined all who daily sing: O Christ, we exalt You beyond measure unto the ages. [SD]

Ode 8: Katavasia

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 1.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

As the Young Men of old were not consumed in the furnace, * Virgin Mary’s womb was being prefigured; for it remained * Ever sealed throughout supernatural childbearing. * Manifestly grace, with the same miraculous power, * Effected both alike, rousing all people to sing praise. [GOASD]

Kontakia and Synaxarion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

Oikos.

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion. For the Ancestors of God.

Mode 3. On this day.

Oikos.

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 28 we commemorate the Holy 20,000 who burned in Nicomedia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs, who were in the Senate, who fled from the fire, died.

St. Indos, died by drowning in the sea.

Sts. Gorgon and Peter, died in the sea.

The holy Martyr Zeno, died by the sword.

The holy Martyr Mardonios, died by fire.

St. Dorotheos, the courtier, died by the sword.

St. Theophilos the Deacon, died by stoning.

St. Mygdonios died by being buried in a pit.

St. Glycerius the Priest, died by fire.

On this day St. Domna, was cut by the sword and died by fire.

The devout St. Simon the Myrrh-Streamer, the founder of the holy Monastery of Simonopetra on Athos reposed in peace.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Christmas II

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)