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Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.

On Wednesday Morning

Menaion - January 28

Memory of St. Ephrem the Syrian

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MATINS

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CHOIR

Mode pl. 4.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion. For the Devout Man.

Mode pl. 4.

With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Ephrem, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

When the Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd and Savior of the world saw Him on the Cross, she uttered tearfully, “The world rejoices at receiving redemption, but my insides are burning as I see Your crucifixion, which You endure for all, O my Son and my God.” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 10. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace 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 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.

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Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For the Cross.

Mode pl. 4.

When the Robber saw the Author of life hanging on the Cross, he said, “If He who is crucified with us were not God incarnate, the sun would not have hid its rays, nor would the earth have quaked and trembled. I pray You who endure everything, remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.” [SD]

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.

Between the two robbers, Your Cross was a balance of justice. One was weighed down to hell by the weight of his blasphemy, the other floated up from his sins to the knowledge of theology. O Christ God, glory to You. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

When the Ewe-lamb beheld hanging on the Cross * the Redeemer and Shepherd and Lamb of God, * she wept and she wailed with grief, * and she bitterly cried aloud, * “Now the world is receiving its redemption, and it leaps for joy; * whereas I see You crucified, and my heart burns inside of me. * In your tender mercy You endure crucifixion, * O God most benevolent, and long-suffering Lord of all.” Now with faith we pray to her, * “O Virgin, show compassion to us, * and forgiveness of offenses grant to us * who with faith duly honor your Son’s holy suffering.” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 11. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For the Cross.

Mode pl. 4. O Life of all, You rose.

Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.

A tree once blossomed death in the middle of Eden. * The tree in the middle of the earth has produced life. * Tasting from the former, * we the incorrupt became corruptible, * whereas with the latter * we have delighted in incorruptibility. * For Christ our God has saved the human race * by means of His divine Cross. [SD]

Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

Of old the tree in the garden stripped us naked, * and by its taste did the enemy bring in death. * Now the tree of the Cross, which for all mankind is bearing * the garment of life, was planted upon the earth, * and therefore is all the world filled with every joy. * As we see it exalted now, let us, O peoples, cry aloud * together unto God in faith: * Full of glory is Your house, O Lord. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

The Theotokos, standing by the Cross and weeping * and in a pitiable condition, uttered crying: * Son, Your Passion is truly beyond comprehension. * I cannot endure to be separated from * my own flesh and blood, nor see You upon a cross. * Overlook not Your handmaiden. Resurrect from the dead, * and glorify me crying out: * Glory be to You, most merciful One. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Cross.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

The tree in Eden of old produced bitterness, * whereas the tree of the Cross has flowered sweet life. * For when Adam had eaten he slipped into corruption. * But we who enjoy the food of the flesh of Christ * are given new life and mystically deified, * and moreover do we receive the everlasting rule with God. * And therefore we cry out in faith: * Glory be to Your Passion, O Word. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

When they had deadened burning impulses and movements * of sinful passions by their self-control and virtue, * then the Martyrs of Christ were given the divine grace * of driving away the illnesses of the sick * and working wonders, alive and after their death. * Paradoxical miracle it is indeed, that naked bones * should pour out cures abundantly. * Glory be to our only God. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 4. O Life of all, You rose.

Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.

The Ewe-lamb without spot saw the Lamb and the Shepherd * suspended on the Cross and she cried out and uttered: * What is it that I see now, * my Son, this strange and unhoped for spectacle? * How have You been convicted * as the mortals, being the Life of all? * Yet, on the third day, arise from the dead, * O Word of God, as You have said. [SD]

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READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. In seeking the heights.

Τὰ ἄνω ζητῶν.

Ephrem, you preferred to live as a contemplative, * and always foreseeing the trial of Judgment Day, * you lamented bitterly. By your deeds, you were a teacher of the active life. * Therefore, O universal father, you ever rouse the careless to penitence. [GOASD]

Oikos.

O father, you wished to follow in the steps of the Forerunner, so you secluded yourself, away from the world, and lived in the wilderness. When the enemy saw you, the righteous one, living in this manner, he incited a brazen and shameless woman against you, thinking to conquer your manliness with the ancient weapon and to ruin your purity, so that you might no longer rouse the careless to penitence. [GOASD]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 28 we commemorate our devout father Ephrem the Syrian.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Palladios.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Iakovos the ascetic.

On this day two martyrs, a mother and daughter, died by the sword.

On this day the holy martyr Grace died when her feet were cut off.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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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]

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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.

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Exaposteilarion of the Day. For the Cross.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

We praise you now, O holy Cross, and venerate you faithfully, * and worthily we extol you, * for you are the Faith’s supporter, * the weapon undefeatable, a refuge great and most secure, * the guardian of the Orthodox, * the pride and joy of all Christians, * the glory of holy martyrs. [SD]

For the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

You are to us like a river * flowing with streams that are golden, * and rousing all Christian peoples * to take the path of repentance. * O Father Ephrem, implore Christ * and pray for the world’s salvation. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

You are the hope of the hopeless, * you are the refuge for Christians, * O all-lauded Theotokos, * you are the joy of the oppressed. * Deliver us your unworthy * servants from every affliction. [SD]

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Lauds. Mode 1.

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]

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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.

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Stichera. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

From Vespers.

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

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

When you had seen Paradise’s beauty reflected in you * and had delighted richly in its unspoiled meadows, * you blossomed for the world the knowledge of God. * And as we now partake of it, * our souls are growing in spirituality, * in the Spirit, O devout Ephrem. [SD]

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

When you had seen Paradise’s beauty reflected in you * and had delighted richly in its unspoiled meadows, * you blossomed for the world the knowledge of God. * And as we now partake of it, * our souls are growing in spirituality, * in the Spirit, O devout Ephrem. [SD]

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

You have depicted the Coming * of Christ the Judge of all, * and thus you teach all people * that they ought by the shedding * of tears to light their souls’ lamps, and you proclaim * that the Bridegroom will surely come: “So let us all now put on a bright splendid robe, * so that we can meet the Bridegroom Christ.” [SD]

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

You put restraints on your body * through self-control, O Saint, * and mortified the movements * of the passions, O Father, * by many prayers and vigils. Therefore the might * of the Spirit came over you, * and it exhibited you, O Ephrem, to be * a noetic star for all the world. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

As David wrote, you flourished like the palm tree, ⁄ venerable Father Ephraim. ⁄ As with a sword, you cut off the tongues of those who blasphemed. ⁄ With abstinence, you dried up the depths of the passions. ⁄ You took up the cross as a weapon ⁄ and were shown to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit. ⁄ Ever pray to Christ on our behalf ⁄⁄ as we celebrate your honored memory with faith. [OCA]

Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

All-pure Lady, as you stood and saw * Him who had created the universe lifted up on the cross * and enduring insults and abuse, you sighed and said, * “O benevolent Lord and God, supremely exalted, * how in wishing to exalt Your creature You now endure * such dishonor done to Your body! * Glory to Your great tender mercy * and Your condescension, my beloved Son!” [GOASD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

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Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. 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.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion. For the Devout Man.

Mode pl. 4.

With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Ephrem, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]