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Menaion - December 30

Memory of the Holy Martyr Anysia, and our Devout Mother Melania

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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

READER

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

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

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

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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

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

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

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

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 4.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

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

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

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

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

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

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

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

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

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

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

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For St. Anysia.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

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

O all-lauded Anysia, * you were bright and illustrious * for your feat of martyrdom and your chastity. * When you could not be convinced to go to worship the sun as god, * without justice you were killed, * and your blood made your body red. Therefore you were crowned, * and you stand in the presence of the Lord, the Sun of glory, now illumined * by the resplendence He radiates. [GOASD]

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

You displayed heartfelt love for Christ, * O all-glorious martyr Saint, * when you wet the earth with your tears compunctiously. * By meditating on things divine, * you brightened your holy soul. * You envisioned Him for whom * you were longing, as if He were present there with you. * You imagined that you were at His footstool and were touching His divine feet, * and wiped them dry with your locks of hair. [GOASD]

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

You distributed all your wealth * to the poor and assisted them. * You wed the Creator, as you were incorrupt. * And as a dowry you brought to Him the pools of your blood and your * imitation of His own * holy Passion that He endured for the sake all. * And your Bridegroom has settled you inside His bridal chamber in the heavens, * O medaled Martyr Anysia. [GOASD]

For St. Melania.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. When you were called.

Ὁ ἐξ ὑψίστου κληθείς.

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

O Saint, you dwell with celestial hosts of Angels. * When the burning flame of love for God was lit you, * and it convinced you to look beyond all that the eyes see, * through true dispassion and utmost purity, * you spoke to your spouse about obedience to God, * and thus you lured him to join you in renunciation * of the unstable vicissitudes of life. * Together finding everlasting life * and enjoyment, O blessed Melania, * you are earnestly praying * and imploring God to save our souls. [GOASD]

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

O Saint, you longed for the lifestyle of the Angels. * Disdained the hedonistic life of luxury, * you chose the practice self-control and keeping vigil, * humble demeanor and sleeping on the ground. * You became a clean and useful vessel of the Lord. * Even before this, those famous gifts of the all-holy * Spirit adorned you, O wise Melania. * Thus you attracted many multitudes * to your virtuous life and most godly zeal. * And to Christ God, the Savior * of our souls, you ably guided them. [GOASD]

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

You were adorned with the ornaments of virtue. * You obeyed the Savior's words and turned them into deeds. * So you distributed all your wealth to the impoverished, * orphans and widows, the sick, and all in need. * And thus you received from God the treasure from on high, * and you became rich in righteousness, divine redemption, * and incorruption, O venerable Saint. * Therefore we honor your repose today, * and we earnestly beg you to pray for us * to the Lord and implore Him * who created us to save our souls. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! ⁄ Today the Good Shepherd of angels and men has come. ⁄ Wonder! The Invisible One is seen. ⁄ the uncontainable one is held! ⁄ He Who has no beginning begins to be; ⁄ the Son of God becomes the Son of man. ⁄ The Virgin who has not known man is seen to be Mother of God. ⁄ After childbearing she remains a Virgin. ⁄ the Word of the Father takes flesh and is laid in a manger. ⁄ Shepherds become partakers and heralds of the mystery. ⁄ Magi from the east, led by a star, ⁄ worship the newborn Savior and offer precious gifts. ⁄ Come, lovers of feasts! ⁄ Let us hasten to open the treasures of our hearts. ⁄ Let us offer Him works of goodness: faith, hope and love. ⁄ These will be our gold, myrrh and frankincense. ⁄ Let us shout with the voice of the bodiless hosts: ⁄ Glory to God in the highest, ⁄ and on earth peace, good will to men, ⁄⁄ for You are come to save our human race from sin. [OCA]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress.

The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

CHOIR: Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

Magi, three kings from orient far, * bearing their gifts, to Christ the infant presented them. * They worshiped Him as Creator and God and true King of all, * who had brightly shone forth from the Virgin Queen. * And she, the all-blameless one, was amazed, and she said to them, * “May I inquire: How did you, who are worshipers * of the fire and sun and who walk in the darkness still, * come to the knowledge that the One, * who incomprehensibly * enlightens all, is incarnate * and as an infant is born on earth * in Bethlehem's Grotto, * and for pity's sake is granting great mercy to the world?” [GOASD]

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

“Balaam, inspired by God long ago, * uttered his prophesies, which we have been studying,” * the Magi replied to Mary. “And we observed and inferred * that a clear and bright star would be rising soon. * And then we beheld this star, an unusual phenomenon, * recently rising, and we therefore did not delay * to be led by it and to traverse and follow it. * Who is this infant who is held * in your motherly embrace? * How were you granted the blessing * to have a role in this mystery, * O all-holy Virgin? * For through you the great mercy is given to the world.” [GOASD]

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

I will teach you something beyond all words and understanding, ⁄ the maiden told the Magi. ⁄ I see that He for whom you search is my Child. ⁄ Behold something new and strange, ⁄ for He Who reigns with the eternal Father willingly bears my poverty ⁄ in order to enrich greatly those poor in knowledge. ⁄ He will carry us from death into Paradise. ⁄⁄ He it is Who grants the world great mercy! [OCA]

Glory. Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Mary, the all-immaculate Maid, * gazed at the infant she had borne, pre-eternal God, * incarnate of her, and held Him in her all-holy embrace; * full of joy she kissed Him, and she said to Him: * “O Savior and God Most High, O invisible King of all, * how do I see You? I cannot fully understand * the great mystery of Your measureless poverty. * Tiny and foreign is the cave that hosted Your birth today. * In being born, You protected my womb and kept my virginity * intact as before birth, * and as Lord You grant Your peace and great mercy to the world.” [SD]

Both now. Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Mary, the all-pure Maid said, “You bear * the form of Adam, though You are in the form of God * all-perfect; and You are willing to be now held in my hands, * You who hold the whole world in Your holy hand, * O Lord, by Your might as God.” She continued in wonderment, * “How shall I wrap You * as an infant in swaddling clothes? * How shall I nurse You, since You feed the entire world? * How can I marvel not at Your ineffable poverty? * I am Your servant, O Jesus; how can I say that You are my son? * I praise You and bless You, * who as Savior grant Your peace and great mercy to the world.” [SD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

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]

Glory. 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.)

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May 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.

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

CHOIR: Amen.