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Μηναῖον - Τῌ ΚΘʹ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ

Menaion - December 29

Μνήμη τῶν Ἁγίων Νηπίων, τῶν ὑπὸ Ἡρῴδου ἀναιρεθέντων, ὧν ὁ Ἀριθμὸς Χιλιάδες ΙΔʹ καὶ τοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Μαρκέλλου, Ἡγουμένου τῆς Μονῆς τῶν Ἀκοιμήτων.

Memory of the 14,000 Holy Innocents, who were Slaughtered by Herod; and our Devout Father Markellos, Abbot of the Monastery of the Unsleeping.

__________

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ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ

VESPERS

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τοῦ Προοιμιακοῦ Ψαλμοῦ.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Καθʼ ὃν δὲ χρόνον ἀναγινώσκεται ὁ Προοιμιακὸς Ψαλμός, ὁ Ἱερεύς, πρὸ τῆς ἁγίας Τραπέζης ἱστάμενος, ἀναγινώσκει τὰς λεγομένας εὐχὰς τοῦ Λυχνικοῦ.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτῷ, Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Ψαλμὸς ΡΓʹ (103).

Psalm 103 (104).

Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα. Ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ μεγαλοπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω, ἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον. Ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέῤῥιν, ὁ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερῷα αὐτοῦ. Ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων. Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς Ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα. Ὁ θεμελιῶν τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἄβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα. Ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν. Ἀναβαίνουσιν ὄρη, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά. Ὅριον ἔθου, ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γῆν. Ὁ ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀναμέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα· ποτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν. Ἐπʼ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν. Ποτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ. Ὁ ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι, καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου. Τοῦ ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει. Χορτασθήσονται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου, ἃς ἐφύτευσας. Ἐκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ κατοικία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν. Ὄρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς λαγωοῖς. Ἐποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιρούς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ, ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ. Σκύμνοι ὠρυόμενοι τοῦ ἁρπάσαι, καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς. Ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ συνήχθησαν, καὶ εἰς τὰς μάνδρας αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται. Ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας. Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας, ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου. Αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἐκεῖ ἑρπετὰ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ζῷα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων. Ἐκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος, ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῇ. Πάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν εἰς εὔκαιρον, δόντος σου αὐτοῖς συλλέξουσιν. Ἀνοίξαντός σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος, ἀποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ταραχθήσονται. Ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι, καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν. Ἐξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα σου, καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς. Ἤτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων, καὶ καπνίζονται. ᾌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω. Ἡδυνθείη αὐτῷ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ. Ἐκλείποιεν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς. Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον.

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.

Ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε· πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός. (3)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

ΤΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΑ

THE PEACE LITANY

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

CHOIR (after each petition)

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν γένους, τοῦ Προέδρου, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν τῷ κράτει ἡμῶν, καὶ τοῦ κατὰ ξηράν, θάλασσαν καὶ ἀέρα φιλοχρίστου ἡμῶν στρατοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, τῆς Ἱερᾶς ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, [τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως ταύτης,] τῆς πόλεως καὶ κοινότητος ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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

Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

Κύριε ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κύριε, ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου· πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σέ. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

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]

Κατευθυνθήτω ἡ προσευχή μου, ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου, ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινή. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

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]

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Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς λόγους πονηρίας, τοῦ προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις ἐν ἁμαρτίαις.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

Σὺν ἀνθρώποις ἐργαζομένοις τὴν ἀνομίαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ συνδυάσω μετὰ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτῶν.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

Παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει, καὶ ἐλέγξει με, ἔλαιον δὲ ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ λιπανάτω τὴν κεφαλήν μου.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

Ὅτι ἔτι καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου ἐν ταῖς εὐδοκίαις αὐτῶν· κατεπόθησαν ἐχόμενα πέτρας οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῶν.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

Ἀκούσονται τὰ ῥήματά μου, ὅτι ἡδύνθησαν· ὡσεὶ πάχος γῆς ἐῤῥάγη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, διεσκορπίσθη τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὸν ᾅδην.

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.

Ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου· ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, μὴ ἀντανέλῃς τὴν ψυχήν μου.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Φύλαξόν με ἀπὸ παγίδος ἧς συνεστήσαντό μοι, καὶ ἀπὸ σκανδάλων τῶν ἐργαζομένων τὴν ἀνομίαν.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Πεσοῦνται ἐν ἀμφιβλήστρῳ αὐτῶν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί· κατὰ μόνας εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ἕως ἂν παρέλθω.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

Ἐκχεῶ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλῖψίν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

Ἐν τῷ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

Ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ, ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

Κατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιά, καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

Ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, Κύριε· εἶπα· Σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου εἶ ἐν γῇ ζώντων.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Πρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα.

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Ῥῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

Ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὗ ἀνταποδῷς μοι.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σοι, Κύριε· Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

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Στιχηρά. Τῶν Ἁγ. Νηπίων.

Stichera. For the Holy Innocents.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος δʹ. Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

Ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε Κύριε, τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν.

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

Θησαυρὸν τὸν κρυπτόμενον, ἐκζητῶν ὁ παράνομος, τοὺς ἀκάκους σήμερον, Παῖδας ἔθυσε, καὶ ἡ Ῥαχὴλ ἀπαράκλητος, ὑπῆρχε τὴν ἄδικον, κατοπτεύουσα σφαγήν, καὶ τὸν ἄωρον θάνατον, οὓς ἐθρήνησε, δονουμένη τὰ σπλάγχνα, ἀλλὰ τούτους, ἐπευφραίνεται ἐν κόλποις, τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ ἄρτι βλέπουσα.

Herod ordered the sacrifice * of the innocent boys today, * for the lawless King sought the hidden treasure, Christ. * And thus fulfilled was the prophecy, * and Rachael was unconsoled, * as she witnessed their unjust * heinous slaughter and premature * death, and so she wept * and she wailed and she keened in lamentation. But rejoices as she sees them * now in the bosom of Abraham. [SD]

Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὑπέμεινά σε, Κύριε, ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου. Ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

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

Βασιλέα τὸν ἄχρονον, ὑπὸ χρόνον γενόμενον, βασιλεὺς παράνομος ἐπεζήτησε, καὶ μὴ εὑρὼν ἀνελεῖν αὐτόν, τῶν Παίδων ἐθέρισεν, ἀπειρόκακον πληθύν, οὓς εἰργάσατο· Μάρτυρας, ὡς οὐκ ᾤετο, καὶ πολίτας τῆς ἄνω βασιλείας, τὴν αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, παραφροσύνην ἐλέγχοντας.

The unlawful King Herod sought * to destroy the eternal King * who for us was born as a babe and entered time. * Since he could not find Him anywhere, * he slaughtered the Innocents, * fourteen thousand infant boys, * and unwittingly made the all * Martyrs of the Lord. * Now as citizens of the heav’nly Kingdom, till the end of time they censure * his mad obsession and foolish rage. [SD]

Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας μέχρι νυκτός· ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

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

Ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντι σοι, προαιώνιε Κύριε, καὶ διʼ ἀγαθότητα νηπιάσαντι, χορὸς Νηπίων προσήνεκται· Μαρτύρων ἐν αἵματι, τὴν ἀθόλωτον ψυχήν λαμπρυνθείς δικαιότατα· ἃ κατῴκισας, εἰς Μονὰς ἀειζώους, τὴν Ἡρῴδου, στηλιτεύοντα κακίαν, καὶ ὠμοτάτην παράνοιαν.

Being good and benevolent, * pre-eternal and timeless Lord, * You were born of Mary the Virgin and became * for us an infant; and now a host * of Infants is brought to You; * and their unpolluted souls * are ashine with martyric blood. * And most rightfully * You have placed them in everlasting Mansions, where they stand in accusation * of Herod’s brutal insanity. [SD]

Τοῦ Ἁγίου.

For the Saint.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος δʹ. Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρʼ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις, καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ.

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

Ἐγκρατείας ὑπόδειγμα, ἀνεδείχθης Μονάζουσι, θεοφόρε Μάρκελλε καὶ ἀσκήσεως, ὑπογραμμὸς ταπεινώσεως, στῦλος ἐπαιρόμενος, ἀπὸ γῆς πρὸς οὐρανόν, καὶ ἁγνείας συνόμιλος, ἡσυχίας τε, ἀληθοῦς ὄντως φύλαξ, καὶ ἀνδρείας, στήλη ἔμψυχος κανών τε, πρὸς ἀρετὴν ἀκριβέστατος.

O Marcellus you showed yourself * as a model of self-control * and as an example of true humility * and of ascetical discipline, * a pillar that soars from earth * rising to the heavens’ heights, * and a partner of chastity, * O God-bearing Saint, * a true keeper of stillness, and a living rock of manliness and courage, * the rule of virtue for everyone. [SD]

Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτόν, πάντες οἱ λαοί.

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

Θεωρίας τῆς κρείττονος, ἐπιβὰς Πάτερ Μάρκελλε, τὰ γεώδη ἅπαντα καὶ ἐπίκηρα, καὶ περιὼν ἐν τῷ σώματι, παρεῖδες καὶ ἄϋλον, πολιτείαν ἐπὶ γῆς, ἐπεσπάσω δοξάζων Χριστόν· ὃν ἱκέτευε, ἐκ φθορᾶς καὶ κινδύνων λυτρωθῆναι, τοὺς ἐν πίστει ἐκτελοῦντας, τὴν ἀεισέβαστον μνήμην σου.

You disdained things ephemeral * and mundane, once you mounted on * higher contemplation, Marcellus blessed Saint. * And you conducted your way of life * as though immaterial, * even as you lived on earth * with your body, and honored Christ; * whom will you entreat * that He free from corruption and from dangers those who loyally now honor * your ever-ven’rable memory. [SD]

Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

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

Τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ τὸ σῶμά σου, ταῖς ἐνθέοις ἐπτέρωσας, ἀρεταῖς ὦ Μάρκελλε, καὶ συνόμιλος, τῶν Ἀσωμάτων γεγένησαι, γηΐνων ἀμέτοχος, ἐνδεικνύμενος τερπνῶν, διὰ πόθον τοῦ Κτίστου σου· ὃν ἱκέτευε, ἐκ φθορᾶς καὶ κινδύνων λυτρωθῆναι, τοὺς ἐν πίστει ἐκτελοῦντας, τὴν ἀεισέβαστον μνήμην σου.

By acquiring the virtues all, * you gave wings to your flesh and soul, * and associated with the Angelic hosts. * You took no part in mundane delights, * Marcellus, because you had * ardent longing for the Lord, * your Creator and Savior Christ; * whom will you entreat * that He free from corruption and from dangers those who loyally now honor * your ever-ven’rable memory. [SD]

Δόξα. Τῶν Ἁγ. Νηπίων.

Glory. For the Holy Innocents.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Mode pl. 4.

Ἡρῴδης ὁ παράνομος, θεωρῶν τὸν ἀστέρα, ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν κτίσιν λαμπρότερον, ἐταράττετο, καὶ γαλακτοτροφούμενα Βρέφη, ἐξ ἀγκαλῶν μητρικῶν ἀφήρπαζεν. Ἡ δὲ Ἐλισάβετ, λαβοῦσα τὸν Ἰωάννην, πέτραν παρεκάλει. Δέξαι Μητέρα μετὰ τέκνου. Ὄρος ἐδέξατο τὸν Πρόδρομον, φάτνη ἐφύλαττε τὸν θησαυρόν, ὃν ἀστὴρ ἐμήνυσε, Μάγοι προσεκύνουν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Herod, the unlawful King, saw the star that was brighter than anything created, and he was troubled. And he snatched the nursing infants from their mothers’ arms. But Elizabeth escaped with John; and she begged a rock, “Take me in, a mother with her child.” And the mountain received the Forerunner. A manger guarded the Treasure, which the star had revealed. And Magi worshipped Him. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

Καὶ νῦν. Τῆς Ἑορτῆς.

Both now. For the Feast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Mode pl. 4.

Παράδοξον Μυστήριον, οἰκονομεῖται σήμερον! καινοτομοῦνται φύσεις, καὶ Θεὸς ἄνθρωπος γίνεται· ὅπερ ἦν μεμένηκε, καὶ ὃ οὐκ ἦν προσέλαβεν, οὐ φυρμὸν ὑπομείνας, οὐδὲ διαίρεσιν.

A paradoxal mystery is unfolding today. Natures are involved in something new, as God becomes man. He has remained what He always was, and has assumed what He previously was not, yet nothing in Him is confused or divided. [SD]

   

   

(Εἴσοδος οὐ γίνεται.)

(No Entrance)

   

   

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὸ Φῶς Ἱλαρόν.

Stand for the hymn.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Φῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς· * διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.

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]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἑσπέρας προκείμενον.

The evening Prokeimenon!

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4.

Ἰδοὺ δὴ εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντες οἱ δοῦλοι Κυρίου. (δίς)

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. (2) [SAAS]

Στίχ. Οἱ ἑστῶτες ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, ἐν αὐλαῖς οἴκου Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.

Verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Ἰδοὺ δὴ εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντες οἱ δοῦλοι Κυρίου.

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῆς εὐχῆς.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καταξίωσον, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἑσπέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀναμαρτήτους φυλαχθῆναι ἡμᾶς. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν, καὶ αἰνετὸν καὶ δεδοξασμένον τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν. Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καθάπερ ἠλπίσαμεν ἐπὶ σέ. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Δέσποτα, συνέτισόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, ἅγιε, φώτισόν με τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου. Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου μὴ παρίδῃς. Σοὶ πρέπει αἶνος, σοὶ πρέπει ὕμνος, σοὶ δόξα πρέπει, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )

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. ( Amen. ) [HC]

ΤΑ ΠΛΗΡΩΤΙΚΑ

LITANY OF COMPLETION

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πληρώσωμεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

CHOIR (after each petition)

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

Συγγνώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τῶν πλημμελημάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν καὶ εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

Τὸν ὑπόλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ μετανοίᾳ ἐκτελέσαι παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

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

Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώδυνα, ἀνεπαίσχυντα, εἰρηνικὰ καὶ καλὴν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοβεροῦ βήματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ αἰτησώμεθα.

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.

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ: Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κλίνας οὐρανοὺς καὶ καταβὰς ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τοῦ γένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἔπιδε ἐπί τοὺς δούλους σου καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν σου· σοὶ γὰρ τῷ φοβερῷ καὶ φιλανθρώπῳ κριτῇ οἱ σοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπέκλιναν τὰς κεφαλάς, τοὺς δὲ αὐτῶν ὑπέταξαν αὐχένας, οὐ τὴν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀναμένοντες βοήθειαν, ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν περιμένοντες ἔλεος καὶ τὴν σὴν ἀπεκδεχόμενοι σωτηρίαν· οὓς διαφύλαξον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ κατὰ τὴν παροῦσαν ἑσπέραν καὶ τὴν προσιοῦσαν νύκτα ἀπὸ παντὸς ἐχθροῦ, ἀπὸ πάσης ἀντικειμένης ἐνεργείας διαβολικῆς καὶ διαλογισμῶν ματαίων καὶ ἐνθυμήσεων πονηρῶν.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (ἐκφώνως)

PRIEST (aloud)

Εἴη τὸ κράτος τῆς βασιλείας σου εὐλογημένον καὶ δεδοξασμένον, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

Ἀπόστιχα τῆς Ἑορτῆς.

Aposticha of the Feast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ. Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

Μυστήριον φρικῶδες ὁρῶ· Θεὸς γὰρ ὁ κατέχων δρακί, πᾶσαν κτίσιν, περιέχεται σαρκί, ἐν φάτνῃ τῶν ἀλόγων, καὶ ῥάκει σπαργανοῦται, ὁ σπαργανῶν ὁμίχλῃ θάλασσαν.

I see an awesome mystery here; * for God, who ever holds in His hand * all creation, * is encompassed now in flesh * and lying in a manger; * and He who wraps the oceans * in fog is wrapped now in swaddling clothes. [SD]

Στίχ. Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τῷ Κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου.

Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of Your feet.” [SAAS]

Ὁ ἄσαρκος σαρκοῦται Θεός, καὶ ἄρχεται ὁ ἄναρχος, καὶ ὁ πλήρης, νῦν κενοῦται ἐν σμικρῷ, Σπηλαίῳ ἐκ Παρθένου, καὶ βρέφος γαλουχεῖται, ὁ διατρέφων πνοὴν ἅπασαν.

Our fleshless God has taken flesh; * and He with no beginning begins; * and the full One * now is emptying himself * inside a tiny grotto. * And nursing from a Virgin * is He who nourishes all living things. [SD]

Στίχ. Ἐκ γαστρὸς πρὸ ἑωσφόρου ἐγέννησά σε. Ὤμοσε Κύριος καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται.

Verse: I have begotten You from the womb before the morning star. The Lord swore and will not repent. [SAAS]

Σκιρτῶσι τῇ γεννήσει Χριστοῦ, Ποιμένες καὶ δοξάζουσι, σὺν Ἀγγέλοις, καὶ ἀστὴρ δορυφορεῖ, καὶ Μάγοι προσκυνοῦσι, καὶ ἄνθρωποι σωθέντες, τὴν Θεοτόκον μεγαλύνουσι.

At Christ the Lord’s Nativity, * the Shepherds sing and glorify * with the Angels; * and the Star becomes a guide * for Magi, who adore Him. * And now that He has saved us, * we praise magnify the Mother of God. [SD]

Δόξα. Τῶν Ἁγ. Νηπίων.

Glory. For the Holy Innocents.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Mode pl. 4.

Τοῦ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας, τῶν Ἰουδαίων τὸ κράτος κατήργηται. Σκιρτάτω τὰ Νήπια, ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ σφαττόμενα, Ἰουδαία ὀδυρέσθω· φωνὴ γάρ ἠκούσθη ἐν Ῥαμᾷ, Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα, θρηνεῖ ὡς γέγραπται τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς. Βρέφη γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἀνελὼν ὁ παράνομος, ἀπεπλήρου τὴν Γραφήν, τὴν Ἰουδαίαν ἐμπιπλῶν ἀθώου αἵματος· καὶ ἡ γῆ μὲν ἠρυθραίνετο τοῖς τῶν Νηπίων αἵμασιν· ἡ ἐξ Ἐθνῶν δὲ ἐκκλησία, μυστικῶς ἁγνίζεται, καὶ στολὴν ἐνδύεται. Ἦλθεν ἡ ἀλήθεια, ὁ Θεὸς ἐπέφανε, τοῖς ἐν σκιᾷ καθημένοις, ἐκ Παρθένου γεννηθείς, εἰς τὸ σῶσαι ἡμᾶς.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, the dominion of the Judeans came to an end. Let the innocent Infants leap for joy, even as they are slaughtered for Christ. But lament, O Judea; for a voice was heard in Ramah, Rachael weeps, as it is written, and laments for her children. When Herod, the lawless king, had the infants killed, he fulfilled the Scripture, by filling Judea with innocent blood. The ground turned red with the blood of the babes, but the Church of the Gentiles was mystically purified and adorned. The truth has come, God has appeared, to those sitting in darkness. He was born of a Virgin, in order to save us. [SD]

Καὶ νῦν. Τῆς Ἑορτῆς.

Both now. For the Feast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Mode pl. 4.

Κύριε, ἐν Βηθλεὲμ παραγέγονας, ἐν τῷ Σπηλαίῳ παρῴκησας, ὁ οὐρανὸν τὸν θρόνον ἔχων, ἐν φάτνῃ ἀνεκλίθης, ὃν στρατιαὶ κυκλοῦσιν Ἀγγέλων, Ποιμέσι συγκατέβης, ἵνα σώσῃς ὡς εὔσπλαγχνος τὸ γένος ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.

Lord, You arrived in Bethlehem, and You stayed at the Grotto. You have heaven for Your throne, yet You reclined in a manger. Hosts of Angels surround You, yet You allowed the shepherds to approach You. All this, in order to save our human race, O compassionate One. Glory to You! [SD]

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῶν εὐχῶν.

Stand for the reading of prayers

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

ᾨδὴν τοῦ Θεοδόχου Συμεών

Song of Simeon

Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, Δέσποτα, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, ἐν εἰρήνῃ· ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου, ὃ ἡτοίμασας κατὰ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν λαῶν· φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν, καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου Ἰσραήλ.

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]

ΛΑΟΣ

PEOPLE

Τρισάγιον.

Trisagion Prayers.

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. (3)

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν. Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν. Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.

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.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

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

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

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

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Τῶν Ἁγ. Νηπίων.

Apolytikion. For the Holy Innocents.

Ἦχος αʹ.

Mode 1.

Τὰς ἀλγηδόνας τῶν Ἁγίων, ἃς ὑπὲρ σοῦ ἔπαθον, δυσωπήθητι Κύριε, καὶ πάσας ἡμῶν τὰς ὀδύνας, ἴασαι φιλάνθρωπε δεόμεθα.

The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, O only benevolent God. [SD]

Δόξα. Τοῦ Ἁγίου.

Glory. For the Saint.

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Mode pl. 4.

Ἐν σοὶ Πάτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατʼ εἰκόνα· λαβὼν γὰρ τὸν σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Χριστῷ καὶ πράττων ἐδίδασκες· ὑπερορᾶν μὲν σαρκός, παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς πράγματος ἀθανάτου. Διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται, Ὅσιε Μάρκελλε, τὸ πνεῦμά σου.

In you, O Father, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Marcellus, your spirit rejoices with the angels. [SD]

Καὶ νῦν.

Both now.

Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

Ἡ Γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῷ κόσμῳ, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως· ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοῖς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο, σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν. Κύριε δόξα σοι.

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]

(Παραλείπεται ἡ ἐκτενής.)

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ: Σοφία.

DEACON: Wisdom.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ: Εὐλόγησον, δέσποτα.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΠΡΟΕΣΤΩΣ ἢ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

HIERARCH or READER

Στερεώσαι Κύριος ὁ Θεός τὴν ἁγίαν καὶ ἀμώμητον πίστιν τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν σὺν τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὐτοῦ Μεγάλῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ, τῇ ἱερᾷ ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ, [τῇ ἱερᾷ Μητροπόλει ταύτῃ] καὶ τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Ὁ ἐν σπηλαίῳ γεννηθείς, καὶ ἐν φάτνῃ ἀνακλιθείς, διὰ τὴν ἡμῶν σωτηρίαν, Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ ἁγίου τοῦ ναοῦ)· τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

May He who was born in a cave and lay in a manger for our salvation, 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.

Διʼ εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

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

ΧΟΡΟΣ: Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.