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Menaion - December 29

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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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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 Holy Innocents.

Mode 1.

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]

Glory. For the Saint.

Mode pl. 4.

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]

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 Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (When he perceived.)

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

Greatly rejoice, heaven; be glad, O earth. ⁄ For the Lamb of God has been born on earth, granting the world forgiveness. ⁄ The Word who is in the bosom of the Father, ⁄ has come forth without seed from the Virgin. ⁄ The Magi were struck with wonder, seeing Him born in Bethlehem as a Child; ⁄⁄ and all things give Him glory! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

Greatly rejoice, heaven; be glad, O earth. ⁄ For the Lamb of God has been born on earth, granting the world forgiveness. ⁄ The Word who is in the bosom of the Father, ⁄ has come forth without seed from the Virgin. ⁄ The Magi were struck with wonder, seeing Him born in Bethlehem as a Child; ⁄⁄ and all things give Him glory! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

You seem to me to be heaven today, O earth; * for the Maker of all has been born on you. * He reclines in manger in Bethlehem of Judea, * and there are shepherds with Angels unceasingly extolling Him, * “Glory in the highest to God, and on earth be peace!” * Magi from the east saw a star that was leading. * They earnestly follow it, to present their most precious gifts, * gold and myrrh and frankincense, * to Him who is the God of all, eternal King, and Creator of the universe, * who in His tender mercy for mortals appeared in a cave. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

You seem to me to be heaven today, O earth; * for the Maker of all has been born on you. * He reclines in manger in Bethlehem of Judea, * and there are shepherds with Angels unceasingly extolling Him, * “Glory in the highest to God, and on earth be peace!” * Magi from the east saw a star that was leading. * They earnestly follow it, to present their most precious gifts, * gold and myrrh and frankincense, * to Him who is the God of all, eternal King, and Creator of the universe, * who in His tender mercy for mortals appeared in a cave. [SD]

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 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

To the Savior who was born * the Star sent Magi. * Herod then dispatched his own * illicit forces in his vain * desire to find and assassinate * the Lord who lay in a manger as a newborn babe. [SD]

Oikos.

As heaven and earth are together celebrating the appearance of the King of all, Herod alone aches with the Jews who murdered the Prophets. And it is right that they alone should lament; for from now on they shall no longer reign, since the reign of the Lord will continue to rule, and it will resist the audacity of the enemies, and it will gather the many believers, along with the holy Innocents, to gaze on the Lord who lay in a manger as a newborn babe. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On December 29, we commemorate the Holy Innocents, the 14,000 infants slaughtered by Herod.

On this day we also commemorate all our Christian brethren who have died by starvation and thirst, or by the sword, or from exposure. The Synaxis in their honor was held at the church of the Most-holy Theotokos in Chalcoprateia, where her holy shrine was.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Marcellus, Abbot of the Unsleeping.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Thaddaeus the Confessor.

We also commemorate our devout father George, Bishop of Nicomedia, the composer of various hymnographic Canons and Troparia.

We also commemorate the Consecration of the Church of the Forty Martyrs, near the Bronze Tetrapylon.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 2.

Ἐκ φλογὸς τοῖς Ὁσίοις.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

From the flame You refreshed pious Servants as with dew * and with water consumed the righteous Prophet’s sacrifice. * You accomplish all, O Christ, simply by willing it. * We exalt You beyond measure, unto all the ages. [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. 2.

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. 2.

Θεὸν ἀνθρώποις.

It is impossible for God to be seen * by people; and angelic orders dare not to look at Him. * But the Word incarnate has been seen by mankind, through you, O all-pure Virgin. * Now magnifying Him, * joining the celestial hosts, all generations call you blest. [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. For the Holy Innocents.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

Sigh not in grief, O Bethlehem, for the slaughter * of the all-holy Innocents; rejoice, rather, * for they have been offered as perfect victims * in sacrifice to Christ the Lord. * Since they were slaughtered for His sake, * they reign with Him now in heaven. [SD]

For the Saint.

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

Through self-control, O holy God-bearing father, * you put to sleep the flesh’s every uprising. * Then, in your monastery, O Markellos, * you made a rule that doxology * be offered in praise of Christ God, * all night and without sleeping. [SD]

For the Feast.

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

O Theotokos, peace on earth has been given, * and the divine good pleasure has come to mankind. * Angels from on high in chorus cried aloud, * “Glory to You in the highest, * for You were born ineffably * in Bethlehem from a Virgin.” [SD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 4.

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 Holy Innocents.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (What a paradoxal.)

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

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

Madness of Herod! ⁄ Raging against God, an Infant in the flesh, ⁄ he unleashed his fury against the babes of Bethlehem. ⁄ He cut them all down with the sword. ⁄ Presuming to deprive the Giver of life of His life, ⁄ he destroys the fruit of the womb in a bloody slaughter, ⁄⁄ but the Lord arose and escaped his hand. [OCA]

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

Madness of Herod! ⁄ Raging against God, an Infant in the flesh, ⁄ he unleashed his fury against the babes of Bethlehem. ⁄ He cut them all down with the sword. ⁄ Presuming to deprive the Giver of life of His life, ⁄ he destroys the fruit of the womb in a bloody slaughter, ⁄⁄ but the Lord arose and escaped his hand. [OCA]

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

Magi journeyed from Persia to Jerusalem. ⁄ They troubled Herod. ⁄ That wretched man raged in fury, and slaughtered the infants. ⁄ As clusters of new grapes they come before Christ, ⁄ new martyrs torn from their mothers’ breasts. ⁄ They pray to Christ for the faithful, ⁄⁄ for the salvation of our souls. [OCA]

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

A great cry of lamentation is heard in Ramah: ⁄ Rachel weeping for her children. ⁄ Godless Herod rages in wanton fury. ⁄ John takes refuge in the wilderness. ⁄ The Messiah escapes the land of the Hebrews, ⁄⁄ a fugitive in the desert. [OCA]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Herod, the evil king, ⁄ raging against those who had followed the star ⁄ which shone on all creation with radiance, ⁄ slew the babes as they nursed in their mothers’ arms. ⁄ John, born of barren Elizabeth, fled to the desert: ⁄ The mountains received the forerunner; ⁄ the cavern hid the treasure. ⁄ What the star disclosed, the Magi adore. ⁄⁄ O Lord, glory to You! [OCA]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

The shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem, and they made known the true Shepherd, who while seated on the cherubim was lying in a manger; for He had taken the form of an infant for our sake. O Lord, glory to You! [SD]

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.

CHOIR

Aposticha. For the Holy Innocents.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode 1.

Infants were the first sacrifice ⁄ offered to Your pure birth, O Christ our God! ⁄ Herod plotted to seize You, the untouchable God. ⁄ He was fooled, and offered You a choir of martyrs instead. ⁄ You took flesh for our sake; ⁄⁄ we beseech You to save us. [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 2.

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

Honorable Innocents! ⁄ Your cries have ascended to the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁄ You shed your blood in the slaughter, ⁄ but now you rest in the bosom of Abraham. ⁄ You are victorious forever over the malice of Herod, ⁄⁄ by the power of the newborn Messiah. [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 3.

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will. [SAAS]

Rachel, weep no more for your babes; ⁄ honor their noble sacrifice. ⁄ Cruel the soldiers, and hateful the slaughter, ⁄ but happy the bosom of Abraham. ⁄ They are Jesus’ companions in age, ⁄ but they precede Him in their passion. ⁄⁄ Now they rejoice together forever. [OCA]

Glory. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Devout Father, the proclamation of your achievements went forth into all the earth. For your labors you found the reward in heaven. You destroyed the arrays of demons, and you attained to the orders of the Angels, whose lifestyle you emulated blamelessly. Since you have confidence before Christ our God, ask Him to grant peace to our souls. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

All the Angels in heaven form a chorus and exult today; and all creation leaps for joy, because our Savior and Lord has been born in Bethlehem. All the deception of idols has ceased, and Christ reigns as King, forever and ever. [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 Holy Innocents.

Mode 1.

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]

Glory. For the Saint.

Mode pl. 4.

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]

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]

(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 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.

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

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

CHOIR: Amen.