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Triodion

Mode pl. 2. On Friday Morning

On Friday of the Third Week Morning

Menaion - March 13

Memory of the Translation of the Relic St. Nikephoros of Constantinople

__________

MATINS

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CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

Verse 1: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 3: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 4: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, bring more evils on them, on the glorious of the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode pl. 2.

With fear the Cherubim standing near You, and trembling the Seraphim astounded, sing to You the thrice-holy hymn, with never-silent voices. And we, sinners though we be, join them and cry out: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! By the power of Your Cross save us. [SD]

Glory.

The six-winged Seraphim, with their bodiless mouths, never cease to sing the thrice-holy hymn to You, our God. And we on earth, albeit with unworthy lips, send up praises to You: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

Let us glorify the Godhead, which is unconfused Tri-unity. And let us sing the hymn of the Angels: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God! Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 13. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

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CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For the Cross.

Mode pl. 2.

The wood of Your Cross was merely planted, O Christ, and the foundations of death were shaken, O Lord. Hades had swallowed You eagerly, but with trembling it disgorged You. You have shown us Your salvation, O Holy One, and we glorify You, Son of God. Have mercy on us. [SD]

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

Lord, the life of all, the Jews condemned You to death; they who by the rod of Moses crossed the Red Sea on foot, had you nailed to the Cross; they who suckled honey from the rock, gave You gall to drink. But You endured it all, so that you might free us from slavery to the enemy. O Lord, glory to You! [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

O Virgin Theotokos, entreat your Son, Christ our God, who voluntarily was nailed to the Cross, and freed the world from deception; and pray Him to have mercy on our souls. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 14. 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 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.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II. From the Triodion.

Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

We mortals, who died of old through eating from the tree, are through Thy Cross restored to life, O merciful Lord. By its power, O loving Master, give us strength to pass through the season of abstinence with compunction, obedient to Thy will, and to see the day of Thy light giving Resurrection. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

As Your Mother was watching You, voluntarily * crucified with the robbers on either side, O Christ, * she was cut to the quick, and as a mother and she said, * “O my sinless Son, alas, You were nailed to the Cross, unjustly, as if a convict, * O most benevolent Savior, in order to give life to humanity.” [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 15. Then the short litany.

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode 1. (NM)

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

With our flesh cleansed by abstinence and our souls filled with light by prayer, count us worthy, O Lord, to look upon Thy precious and venerable Cross and to reverence it with fear, singing hymns and saying: Glory to Thy lifegiving Cross; glory to the holy spear that pierced Thee, whereby we are restored to life, O Thou who alone lovest mankind. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Your Mother, the blameless Sheep, saw You the Lamb, O Logos, * in Your long-suffering, crucified together with robbers, * and witnessed the spear pierce Your side, * she lamented maternally and cried, * “O my Jesus, what is this awesome and horrifying mystery? * How can You, the limitless God, be concealed by a tomb? * What is happening is unspeakable! * Do not abandon me, Your Mother, O sweetest Son of mine!” [GOASD]

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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]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasius, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalampus and Eleutherius, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Catherine, Kyriaki, Photini, Marina, Paraskevi and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Δεῦτε λαοί.

Verse: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified.

Peoples, now come * and let us sing a song to Christ our God, * who by His prophet split the sea and through it led across * His people and possession, out of Egyptian bondage, * for He was glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Being held in the terrible grave of sins, raise me up by your immortal disposition and your compassionate hand, and make me live as compassionate and very merciful. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord reigns forever and ever and ever. For Pharaoh’s horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. [SAAS]

Having acquired the four-part completeness belonging to the virtues and, as though having climbed in a chariot, you went from deeds to the winning post of divine vision. [VPA]

Verse: But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [SAAS]

When you took up the pure life, Venerable one, you drank the divine and unmixed drink from the cup. Therefore, you also became a vessel of wisdom. [VPA]

Glory.

Having been driven away from your cathedra, glory, and flock by violent hands of the soul-destroying beasts of heresy, Venerable one, you now entered into the fold suitable to you. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

By a word you conceived the Word of the Father and bore him in a manner beyond words, and after birth, beyond nature and reason, you still remained a virgin as before birth. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Στερέωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν σοὶ Κύριε.

Verse: Holy are You, O Lord, and my spirit praises You.

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having the weapon of the Cross as a breastplate, and outlining the divine imprint of the Savior, you piously venerated it, following the patristic teachings. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord went up into the heaven and thundered. The Lord judges the ends of the earth. [SAAS]

Having the weapon of the Cross as a breastplate, and outlining the divine imprint of the Savior, you piously venerated it, following the patristic teachings. [VPA]

Verse: He gives strength to our leaders, and He will exalt the horn of His Christ. [SAAS]

The flock, yearning for you, the shepherd, runs to you who calls them by name and drives away the wolves with the rod of faith, O wise one. [VPA]

Glory.

As of old Israel carried the body of the divine and chaste Joseph, so now the Church of Christ honors the bier of your relics. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Being a temple and holy dwelling of the Logos, O Theotokos, become for me propitiation for my errors, O bride of God. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Establish us in You, Lord, we pray to You, * who mortified sin by Your crucifixion, * and implant in us the fear of You * within the hearts of Your servants who sing Your praise. [SD]

Ode 3: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. N/M (Your confession.)

Θείας πίστεως.

You crowned the Church with victories, having turned away the deceit of false doctrine, O Nikephoros who fittingly bore your name, and you sanctify the ends of the world through the gathering of your holy relics, venerable father. Entreat Christ God that great mercy be granted unto us. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 3. Your confession.

When the undefiled Ewe of the Logos, * the immaculate Mother and Virgin, * watched as her Son who was born without labor from her * was at His Passion mistreated and crucified, * she as a mother lamented and cried aloud, * “Alas! My Child, how is it that You suffer now? * To rescue from the sinful passions all mankind.” [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰσακήκοα Κύριε, τὴν ἀκοήν.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

I have heard the report, O Lord, * of your eternal plan for our salvation, * and I glorified You, the only Friend of man. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

For those who honor you, your bier becomes an ark of sanctification from which we draw a spring of healings. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord God is my strength; He will direct my feet to the end. [SAAS]

For those who honor you, your bier becomes an ark of sanctification from which we draw a spring of healings. [VPA]

Verse: He will set me upon high places, so to conquer by His song. [SAAS]

You drove away heresies and secured the fold of your flock, fenced around by god-inspired teachings. [VPA]

Glory.

We honor, as is worthy, the myrrh-chest of your relics, blessed one, as it springs forth the aroma of life for the faithful. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

We glorify you, noetic paradise who received in your womb the tree of life, O Virgin. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ὁ τοῦ φωτὸς χορηγός.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

Lord, the provider of light, * and the Creator of the ages, we pray * that You will guide us in the light of Your all-holy commands. * Except for You, we do not know any other God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

Enemies are ashamed now and the leaders of heresies are raging seeing your bier being faithfully honored by the king and your entire flock, godly-minded one. [VPA]

Verse: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

Enemies are ashamed now and the leaders of heresies are raging seeing your bier being faithfully honored by the king and your entire flock, godly-minded one. [VPA]

Verse: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth. [SAAS]

Your holy bier drives away the evil spirits of demons like a fearsome whip and receives a victory of glory from God against them, O Nikephoros. [VPA]

Verse: O Lord, Your arm is exalted, but they did not know it. But when they know it, they shall be ashamed. [SAAS]

The furnace of your conscience being inflamed with the fire of the Spirit shows you as bright gold through faith, putting to shame the deceit of the heretics. [VPA]

Verse: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Having been beautified, august one, by the coming of the holy Spirit, you nurse God with your breasts and hold in your arms the one who holds all creation in his palms. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Five.

O Lord our God, grant us peace, for You render everything to us. [SAAS]

O Lord our God, possess us; O Lord, we know no other besides You; we name Your name.

The dead will not see life; neither will physicians raise them. Therefore You brought evils upon them and destroyed them, and took away every male of theirs.

Because of Your fear, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, and we have given birth. We brought forth the spirit of Your salvation on the earth. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Ὁ ἀναβαλλόμενος.

Verse: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, on the glorious of the earth [SAAS]

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; by Thy wounds cleanse the wounds of my soul, O Christ who hast accepted suffering in the flesh. [KW]

Verse: O Lord, I remembered You in my hard circumstances. Your chastening to us was a small affliction. [SAAS]

When the sun beheld Thee, O Christ, hanging in the flesh upon the Wood, its light was changed to darkness; and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. [KW]

Verse: As a woman with child is in pain and cries out in her pangs, when she draws near the time of her delivery, so we became Your beloved. [SAAS]

O Lord who in Thy surpassing love hast been crowned with thorns, cleanse my soul, for it is full of thorns and overgrown with the weeds of all the passions. [KW]

Verse: We shall not fall but the inhabitants of the world shall fall. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

O all-pure Virgin, thou hast brought forth my Creator as a new born babe. Entreat Him, then, I pray thee, to fashion me anew, who am grown old in evil. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode v. Mode 1. (NM) Seeking The early.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Verse: The dead shall rise up; and those in the tombs shall arise. Those in the earth shall be glad. [SAAS]

At the place of the Skull, O Christ, the Jews who crucified Thee wagged their heads in laughter and mockery; and all this Thou hast endured for our salvation. [KW]

Verse: For your dew is a healing for them, but the land of the ungodly shall come to an end. [SAAS]

Pilate wrote the inscription on Thy Cross in three languages, O Christ, showing in this way that Thou art one of the Trinity; who suffered of Thine own will for the salvation of all. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O ye faithful, let us praise the threefold Sun of the Trinity supreme in radiance, honouring the Father as Light, glorifying the Son as Light, and proclaiming the Spirit as Light. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure and honoured Virgin, He who was born of thee has made thee higher than the angels. For they are afraid to gaze on Him as God, but thou hast carried Him in thine arms as thy Son. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O precious Cross, guardian and salvation of the world, watch over me as I fast and count me worthy to take part in thy holy veneration. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Ἐκ νυκτὸς ὀρθρίζοντες.

Seeking Thee early in the morning, we sing Thy praises, Christ our God, who hast for our sakes become poor and in Thy flesh endured the Cross and death. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vi. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν ἀβύσσῳ πταισμάτων.

Verse: Save us, O Lord, like You saved the Prophet Jonah.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

You suffered passions for the faith, for the holy tradition of the Fathers you endured exiles, through which you gained most honorable glory. [VPA]

Verse: Those who follow vanity and lies forsake their own mercy. [SAAS]

You suffered passions for the faith, for the holy tradition of the Fathers you endured exiles, through which you gained most honorable glory. [VPA]

Verse: As much as I vowed, I shall offer up to You, to You, the Lord of Deliverance. [SAAS]

Your steadfast faith and opposition shook the folly of the tyrants and made you a fiery pillar for the holy church, blessed one. [VPA]

Glory.

The Church is adorned with a rightly-divided crown, bearing your most bier and dust as bright pearls and most translucent stones, wise one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Tongues of mortals and angels praise the unutterable manner of your birth-giving, glorifying you, Lady, who are more excellent than all created things. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

From Triodion - - -

READER

For the Martyrs. Mode pl. 2.

The Lord has made wondrous the Saints who proclaimed Christ in the arena, and who did not flinch at the threats of lawless men. By their perseverance, these Martyrs brought down the arrogance of the transgressors. From Christ they worthily received the grace healing. They unceasingly entreat Him for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 13 we commemorate the recovery of the relics of our father among the saints Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople.

On this day we also commemorate the holy hieromartyr Publius, Bishop of Athens.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyrs Aphricanus, Publius, and Terence; the services in their honor were held at the monastery called Paulopetrion.

On this day St. Habib of Hermoupolis died when he was tied to stone and cast into a river.

On this day the holy martyr Christina of Persia died after being scourged.

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

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From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Εἰκόνος χρυσῆς.

Verse: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.

The image of gold * was in Babylon on Dura being worshiped. * But Your three Servants showed complete disdain * for that abominable decree. * Thrown into the fiery furnace, * in the midst of it they were bedewed, * singing: Blessed are You, O God of our Fathers. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

By divine power your burial vestments are kept incorrupt and your bones, by divine command, not having lost their union, scatter all evil thought of unclean spirits. Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

Verse: Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, and You are praised and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

Verse: Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, for You are praised and glorified unto the ages. [SAAS]

The shepherd, the pious king, the flock, and the fulness of those in authority come together and placing their necks beneath your glorious bier and though it were a most holy ark, God-inspired one, they guard it and chant: Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

Glory.

Let the divine shrine of the disciples of the Logos honorably receive the companion of the apostles and the co-dweller of the martyrs, the foundation of the hierarchs and the one had the manner of life of the devout. Blessed are you, the God of our Fathers. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

When Moses saw the bush on Sinai aflame but not unconsumed by fire, your womb was being foreshadowed, all-pure mother; for having conceived the divine fire, you were not burned, but gave birth to the creator of light, both God and man. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐν καμίνῳ τοῦ πυρός.

Verse: O you works, to the Lord sing a hymn, and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

When God went down into the fire * of the furnace with the holy Hebrew Servants, * He converted the flames there into dew refreshing them. * Extol Him as Lord, O you works of His, * and exalt Him beyond measure, * unto all the ages. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

By the breeze of the Spirit, you reached the harbor of life away from many swells, Father, and preserved the goodness of your load with unwetted feet and now you enjoy the peace that is there. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

By the breeze of the Spirit, you reached the harbor of life away from many swells, Father, and preserved the goodness of your load with unwetted feet and now you enjoy the peace that is there. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, you heavens of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The faithful, seeing the grave which had been acquired as a new altar of sacrifice, in which divine whole-burnt offerings are performed faithfully, and within a most holy dead one, we greatly exalt the wonder-working God. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heaven, all you powers of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The flock manifestly rejoices, the choir of monastics brightly celebrates with the sacred purple robe of faithful kings and every gathering of rulers, at the august recovery of your relics. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, you sun and moon, you stars of heaven, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

By a word conceiving the Word seedlessly in your womb, why by a word put all things together, God-bearing pure virgin, you gave birth beyond words to the one whom we greatly exalt unto all the ages. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, all you winds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Bless the Lord, you fire and heat, you winter cold and summer heat, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you dews and snows, you frost and cold, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you hoarfrosts and snows, you lightning and clouds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you light and darkness, you night and day, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you earth, you mountains and hills, and all you things growing on the earth, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you springs, you seas and rivers, you sea-monsters and everything that moves in the waters, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 1. (NM)

Σοὶ τῷ παντουργῷ.

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you birds of heaven, all you wild animals and cattle, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Christ, Thou hast stretched out Thine hands upon the Cross, and so Thou hast destroyed the sin of our forefather who stretched out his hands in greed. By the Tree hast Thou healed the curse of the tree: therefore we sing Thy praises for ever. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O children of men. Bless the Lord, O Israel, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

I fall down before Thee, O Word, who desirest my salvation. Cause the evil desires to vanish swiftly from my heart, O Thou who hast willingly endured the Cross and Passion. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O priests of the Lord, O servants of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

I have loved the guilty life of the Prodigal and my soul has grown dark. O Word who at Thy Passion hast darkened the light of the sun, shine upon me with Thy brightness, that I may turn back to Thee. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, O holy ones and humble in heart, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Cause every ill to vanish from my greatly suffering heart, O Mother of Christ my God. Shatter the arrows and bows of the demons that make war against my humiliated soul. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 1. (NM) Christ our God preserved.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

In our wretchedness what shall we offer Thee, O Master of all, who hast suffered for us? Thou hast endured the Cross for our sake, O Christ, and we sing the praises of Thy grace and boundless mercy. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

The lawless Jews who from envy killed Thee on the accursed tree, harmed not the power of Thy glory. For Thou remainest Master of all, and Thou hast suffered by Thine own free choice. [KW]

Verse: We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

For the Trinity.

I honour the three Persons of the Godhead that transcends all being, and I glorify for ever the Father without beginning, the Son and the Holy Spirit, undivided in essence and nature. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

We praise her who is higher that the heavens and exalted above the cherubim, the first among the saints, the undefiled Maiden who bore the God of all, and we exalt her above all for ever. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O thrice-blessed Cross of Christ, while hidden in the earth thou hast given us a victory-written in the sky; grant that, cleansed by fasting, we may all be counted worthy to venerate thee. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.

Christ our God preserved the Children who sang His praises in the furnace, and He changed the roaring flames to dew; let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

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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 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]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode ix. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ Θεὸν Λόγον.

Being from God, God the Logos * with ineffable wisdom * came to make Adam new who fell through food * into corruption unhappily. * From an all-holy Virgin * ineffably He took on flesh for us. * We the faithful extol Him concordantly and magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Saint of God, intercede for us.

The multitude of angels dances together at your festal assembly and your praises, Father; glorifying the most holy Lord with thanksgiving and peace from above is gained for us who with faith honor your relic. [VPA]

Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. [RSV]

Verse: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. [RSV]

Let the grace of your relics become for us as a pure medicine in illness and your intercession, all-famous one, a mercy-seat for all and a path towards God and a guide to those who with faith and yearning honor you, blessed one. [VPA]

Verse: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. [RSV]

Having put the armor of victorious weapons upon the faithful by your hand, O King of all, strengthen the kings against the barbarians, and by the intercessions of the venerable one guard your Church as a firm foundation of the faithful, teaching rightly. [VPA]

Verse: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. [RSV]

Theotokion.

Having gained you as a strong protection, hope, wall, anchor, steadfast shelter, unconquerable support, peaceful harbor, and only refuge, pure one, we are all saved, all-hymned one. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode pl. 1. (NM) Rejoice, Isaiah.

Ἠσαΐα χόρευε.

Verse: The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, be[ing] delivered from the hand of our enemies. [RSV]

O compassionate Saviour, take away the stony hardness of my soul, and grant me in Thy love a fountain of divine compunction: for Thou hast poured out life upon me from Thy side and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [KW]

Verse: [That we] might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. [RSV]

Forsaking the heights of virtue I have thrown myself into the depths of sin. But draw me up and save me, for Thou hast ascended on the Cross and lifted up mankind to Thee, O Lord. [KW]

Verse: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. [RSV]

O Lord Christ who art sweetness and delight, Thou the Creator hast tasted gall and raised up Adam’s children from their fall that came about through sensual pleasure. Saved by Thy Passion, we sing Thy praises. [KW]

Verse: To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [RSV]

Theotokion.

All-holy Lady, my hope and refuge, heal the wounds of my soul and give peace to my mind, that even I may praise thy greatness, Ever Virgin Theotokos. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 1. (NM) Moses saw thee.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

Verse: When the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. [RSV]

The transgressors in mockery clothed Thee with purple, O Christ, and crowned Thee as King, striking Thy head with a reed; and from envy they crucified Thee and gave Thee gall to drink. In our hymns with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

Verse: To guide our feet into the way of peace. [RSV]

When the sun beheld Thy sufferings upon the Cross, it hid its light; and seeing the outrages which Thou hast undergone, O Master, the whole creation quaked and the rocks were rent. In our hymns, Christ our Saviour, we magnify Thee. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O Unity of the threefold Sun, Light and Life and Maker of all, God and Lord, shining with a single light, three Persons in one Godhead: with all the faithful we magnify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

In prophecy David the Psalmist called thee Zion: for He whom the heavens cannot contain made thee His dwelling-place, and from thy flesh He formed the mercy-seat of the world. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Lord, through abstinence enable us to run swiftly to Thy saving Cross, the Light of the faithful, and to behold and venerate it for our sanctification; that so through the Cross we may magnify Thee. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 1.

Σὲ ἥν περ εἶδε Μωυσῆς.

Moses saw thee as a bush unconsumed by fire, and Jacob beheld thee as the living ladder and the gate of heaven, through which Christ our God has passed. In our hymns, pure Mother, we magnify thee. [KW]

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

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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Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

By the power of Your Cross, O Lord, send down Your eternal light to souls. [SD]

By the intercessions of the Saints, O Lord, send down Your eternal light to souls. [SD]

By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Lord, send down Your eternal light to souls. [SD]

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READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. 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. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

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. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

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

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Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

HIERARCH or READER

Doxology (read)

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: 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

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.

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

I have scattered the riches which the Father gave me and wasted my life as the Prodigal, carried away by the evil thoughts of sin. Taking pleasure in the sweetness of passion, I have transgressed Thy saving commandments and become like the unthinking beasts. O Christ my God, who for my sake wast pleased to hang upon the Cross, deprive me not of sonship, but accept me as I now turn back to Thee like the Prodigal Son, and save me. [KW]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 2.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

At the commemoration of Thy martyrs, O Lord, the whole creation keeps festival; heaven with the angels greatly rejoices, and the earth with all mankind makes glad. At their intercessions have mercy on us. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

The all-pure Theotokos, O Lord, * was watching You be crucified. * As a mother * she was grieving and she cried, saying, “O my sweetest Child, * how is it that You suffer * this painful Passion, O my Son and my God?” [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.

READER

Standing in your glorious church, O Theotokos, we think we are standing in heaven. O heavenly Gate, open to us the door of your mercy.

Lord, have mercy. (40)

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

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.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

READER

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

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May 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.