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Triodion

Mode pl. 4. On Tuesday Morning

On Tuesday of the Fifth Week Morning

Menaion - March 24

Forefeast of the Annunciation

__________

MATINS

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CHOIR

Mode 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 Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Today is the prelude of the joy of the universe, and it incites us to sing the forefestal hymns. For behold, Gabriel is coming, and he will say to the Virgin: Rejoice, Maiden full of grace; the Lord is with you. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

If the Great Canon is on Wednesday at Compline, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is Kathisma 10. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

If, however, the Great Canon is on Thursday at Matins, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is Kathisma 11. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Kathisma I. For compunction.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Like the sinful woman, I come to You to be forgiven, and instead of perfume, I offer You my heartfelt tears, O Christ God, so that You will pity me, as You did her, O Savior, and grant to me forgiveness of sins. For like her, I cry to You, “Free me from the mud of my sinful deeds!” [GOASD]

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger. [SAAS]

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

O my soul, keep the thought of that fearful day * in the front of your mind, and be vigilant; * and trimming your oil lamp, keep it lit with the virtues. * For you know not the day nor the hour the cry will come * to you specifically, saying, “Behold, your Bridegroom is here!” * Therefore, O my soul, always watch lest you slumber * and be left outside knocking like those five foolish maidens. * But continue in vigilance, * so that you may meet Christ God with abundant oil, and He give to you * the heavenly bridal room of His glory divine. [GOASD]

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

For the Martyrs. Mode pl. 4.

This tabernacle is splendidly illumined today with heavenly light. For herein do the armies of Angels greatly rejoice, and with them the hosts of the Righteous are cheerful, as the victorious Martyrs are commemorated. O Christ, by their supplications, send down peace and great mercy to Your world. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4.

O Believers, let us magnify the Theotokos in hymns. She is the unshakable support of the Faith, and the venerable gift to our souls. “Rejoice! for in your womb you contained the Rock of life. Rejoice! as the hope of all the earth, and the help of those in trouble! Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!” [SD]

If the Great Canon is on Wednesday at Compline, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is Kathisma 11. Then the short litany.

If, however, the Great Canon is on Thursday at Matins, the appointed Kathisma of the Psalter is Kathisma 12. 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 3. (NM)

Θείας πίστεως.

In fervent faith let us burn up with abstinence the lustful passions, and flee from the icy cold of sin; with the streams of our tears let us quench the everlasting flame, crying aloud: We have sinned against Thee, O most loving Lord; forgive us and grant us Thy great mercy. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 3. Your confession.

Θείας πίστεως.

You in purity surpass the Angels; * therefore you became the tabernacle * of the Logos, O immaculate Mother of God. * But as for me, I surpass everybody else * in the pollutions resulting from sins of the flesh. * With the waters of your intercession wash away my filth, * All-holy Maid, and grant me the great mercy. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 13. 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 2.

Most glorious is the grace of the holy Fast. Through it the Prophet Elijah found the chariot of fire, and Moses received the Tables of the Law; Daniel was magnified, and Elisha raised the dead; the Children quenched the fire, and all men are reconciled to God. Rejoicing in the Fast, let us cry aloud: Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, whose good pleasure this has been; glory to Thee. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 2.

Having obtained in my distress thine unconquerable intercession, O Mother of our God, I am set free miraculously and past all hope from everything that troubles me. For thou art always swift to help those who ask of thee in faith, and dost deliver them when oppressed by the temptations of the enemy. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry unto thee: Accept, O Lady, this small offering of grateful praise, and be my help in all things. [KW]

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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 Forefeast.

Ode i. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θαλάσσης τὸ ἐρυθραῖον.

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

The Red Sea was crossed by ancient Israel. They walked across dry ground, * when Moses stretched his hand over the sea * with his rod, in the form of a cross; * and likewise in the wilderness, they put to flight the hosts of Amalek. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O world, be glad and filled with joy, as you experience the Lord descending to you. In His tender mercy, He comes down from heaven, and He receives bodily form in a Virgin’s womb. [SD]

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

O Virgin, behold, a divine Archangel of God the King of all is sent to you, the Queen, to announce His coming, and to salute you with the greeting “Rejoice,” for the restoration of the forefather Adam. [SD]

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

O Maiden, prepare yourself to be the gleaming solid gold jar, that will receive the Manna of Life. For at the voice of the Angel, He shall come upon you, and He shall come to dwell in you supernaturally [SD]

Glory.

O pure one, the Lord, who ever dwells in heaven, will make His dwelling in your body; for He comes to clothe himself with the nature of those born on earth, and thus to make it heavenly. [SD]

Both now.

O pure one, the Lord, who ever dwells in heaven, will make His dwelling in your body; for He comes to clothe himself with the nature of those born on earth, and thus to make it heavenly. [SD]

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READER

Ode Two

Glory to You, our God; glory to You!

Take heed, O heaven, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. [SAAS]

Let my proverbial saying be awaited as the rain, and let my words come down as raindrops on the wild grass, and as snowfall on the sown grass.

For I invoke the Lord’s name: ascribe greatness to our God.

He is God, His works are true; and all His ways are judgment.

A faithful God and without injustice; righteous and holy is the Lord.

They sinned; the blameworthy children are not His, a generation twisted and perverse. Is this how you repay the Lord?

O foolish and unwise people, is He not your Father, who acquired you? Has He not made and created you?

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.

Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will tell you:

When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the nations by the number of God’s angels.

For the Lord’s portion became the people of Jacob; the allotment of His inheritance is Israel.

He provided for him in the desert, in thirst of heat in a waterless place. He encircled him; He instructed him; He guarded him carefully as the apple of His eye.

As an eagle covers its nest, yearns after its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its back.

So the Lord alone led them, and there was no foreign god with them.

He raised them on the strength of the land; He fed them on the produce of the fields.

He suckled them on honey from the rock and oil from the solid rock.

Butter of oxen and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs and goats, of sons of bulls and goats, with the choicest wheat; and you drank wine, the blood of grapes.

So Jacob ate and was filled, and the beloved kicked; he grew fat, he grew thick, he is obese. Then he forsook God who made him and stood back from God his Savior.

They provoked Me to wrath against foreign gods; with their abominations they embittered Me.

They sacrificed to demons, and not to God, to gods they did not know; new ones, recent gods arrived, which their fathers did not know.

You abandoned the God who begot you, and forgot the God who nourished you.

So the Lord saw it, and was jealous; and He was provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.

Then He said, I will turn My face from them, and I will make known what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faith.

They provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they moved Me to anger by their idols; but I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.

For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest Hades; it shall consume the land with its produce And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

I will gather evils on them; I will spend My arrows on them.

They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by birds and incurable disease; I will also send against them the teeth of wild animals With the anger of things crawling on the earth.

The sword shall make them childless outside, and fear from the inner chambers, for the young man and virgin, the nursing child with the elder of gray hairs.

I said, I will scatter them; I will make their memory cease from among men.

But for the wrath of the enemy, lest they live long, lest their adversary make a joint attack.

Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; and it is not the Lord who did all this.”

For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there understanding in them. They were not wise to understand these things.

Let them be concerned for the coming time.

How could one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight unless God had sold them, and the Lord delivered them up?

For our God is not like their gods, but our enemies are foolish.

For their vineyard is of the vineyard of Sodom, and their vine is of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall; their clusters are bitter.

Their wine is the wrath of serpents, and the incurable wrath of asps.

Behold, is this not laid up in store with Me, sealed up among My treasures?

I shall repay on the day of vengeance; in time, when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and is waiting, ready for them.

For the Lord will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants.

For He sees them disabled and left in distress and weakened.

The Lord said, ‘Where are their gods in which they trusted?’

Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise and help you and be your defender.

Now see, I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hands.

For I raise My hand to heaven, and I swear by My right hand, and say, “As I live forever.”

For I whet My sword like lightning; and My hand takes hold on judgment. I will render vengeance on My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.

I will make My arrows drunk from blood; and My sword shall devour flesh from the blood of the slain and the captives, from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.

Rejoice, O Heavens, together with Him, and worship Him, all the sons of God.

Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; and let all the angels of God be strong with Him; for He will avenge the blood of His sons and render vengeance to His adversaries; and the Lord will purify His people’s land. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

CHOIR

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ii. Mode 3. Heirmos (NM).

Πρόσεχε γῆ καὶ οὐρανέ.

Hearken, O earth, and give ear to my words, O heaven: for I shall tell to those on earth the wonders of God. (2) [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Through unceasing prayer and abstinence and contemplation, let us give wings to our souls and raise them to the love of God. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Fleeing from the icy cold of self-indulgence, let us all warm ourselves with the light of abstinence and the Holy Spirit. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O my soul, drive away the putrefaction of sin with the salt of the divine virtues, and cleave to God. [KW]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Christ came to dwell in thee who alone art blessed, and He took from thee the flesh He made His own. [KW]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ii. Mode 2. (NM) Attend, O ye peoples.

Προσέχετε λαοί.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us make our own pure fasting, prayer, tears, meditation on holy things, and every other virtue; and let us bring them now as an offering to God our Master. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Eve was taken captive by the fruit. O my soul, consider this and be not deceived if ever the serpent tempts thee, urging thee to eat the fruits of lust. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I glorify three Persons in one Nature, Father, Son and Spirit, the one Power of the Godhead, one Kingdom over all and one Brightness. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Thy childbearing, O pure Lady, fills our hearts with fear. For it is God who has become man, begotten outside time from the Father and in the last days brought forth by thee through a virgin birth. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O my Christ, Thou hast healed the woman with an issue of blood when she touched the hem of Thy garment. Trusting in Thy mercy, I too stretch out my hand to touch Thee: heal me from the passions. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Προσέχετε λαοί.

Attend, O ye peoples, to the wonders worked by My divine power, and know from this that I only am the God of all. [KW]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ.

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

Not in our wisdom, * nor in power and wealth do we boast, O Lord; * but we boast in You, the Father’s personified Wisdom, O Christ. * No one else is holy but for You who are benevolent. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Exult and dance for joy now, O earth, that with labor and sorrow had sprouted the passions like thorns. Behold, the immortal Husbandman shall come now, and He lift the curse from you. [SD]

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

O undefiled Virgin, prepare to be the divine fleece; for God shall descend on you like rain, to dry up the streams of human disobedience. [SD]

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

O Maiden, prepare to be the divine tablet; for by the finger of the Father, the divine Logos incarnate shall be inscribed in you, and He shall loose my illogical transgression. [SD]

Glory.

O Virgin, receive the fire of the Godhead, like the golden lamp. It will shine through you and give light to the world; and it will disperse the darkness of our evils. [SD]

Both now.

O Virgin, receive the fire of the Godhead, like the golden lamp. It will shine through you and give light to the world; and it will disperse the darkness of our evils. [SD]

Heirmos.

Not in our wisdom, * nor in power and wealth do we boast, O Lord; * but we boast in You, the Father’s personified Wisdom, O Christ. * No one else is holy but for You who are benevolent. [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. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Today creation all exults with greatest joy, * for the Archangel came and said to you, “Rejoice! * Blessed are you, O purest Maid, immaculate Mother of Christ.” * And today the insolence * of the serpent is mortified. * The fetters of the curse once laid * on our forefather now are loosed. * And so with all the world we cry out to you: * Rejoice, O Maiden full of grace. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode iv. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ἐπαρθέντα σε ἰδοῦσα.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

When the Church beheld You raised on the Cross unjustly, * O Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, crucified for our sake, * she stood in her course, like the moon, * and fittingly cried aloud, * “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Now the mystery that was foreordained before the ages begins to be revealed. O earth and heavens, celebrate in unison and joyfully sing and jubilate aloud. [SD]

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

Open your aural entrances to things divine, O great palace of the King; for Christ the Truth shall come now, and shall dwell inside you. [SD]

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

Our Redeemer shall be seen to dwell in a virgin womb, in order to restore our ancestral mother who slipped and fell. Let us sing to Him, “Glory to Your strength, O Lord!” [SD]

Glory.

O all-blameless Virgin and only adornment of mortals, the Prophet Habakkuk of old spoke of you as being a mountain overshadowed with virtues, and from which our God was to appear. [SD]

Both now.

O all-blameless Virgin and only adornment of mortals, the Prophet Habakkuk of old spoke of you as being a mountain overshadowed with virtues, and from which our God was to appear. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode v. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Σὺ Κύριέ μου φῶς.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

My Lord, You are the light. * Holy light, to the world You came * to turn people from the darkness * and the night of not knowing. And now in faith we sing Your praise. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The Lamb of our God is urgent in coming to enter your womb, O spotless Ewe-lamb, and to take away our sins. [SD]

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

As it is written, may the divine Flower blossom from you in due time, O mystical Rod from the root of Jesse, and appear to us. [SD]

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

O Virgin, at the voice of the Archangel, prepare to grow like a vine and to bring forth the ripe and undefiled Cluster. [SD]

Glory.

Be glad, O Isaiah, one of the great Prophets; for the Virgin, of whom you foretold, in her womb conceives the Angel of Great Counsel. [SD]

Both now.

Be glad, O Isaiah, one of the great Prophets; for the Virgin, of whom you foretold, in her womb conceives the Angel of Great Counsel. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode vi. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Θύσω σοι μετὰ φωνῆς.

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

“I will sacrifice to You, O Lord, with a voice of praise.” * So sings the Church You delivered * from the gore of sacrificing to demons; * for You cleansed her * by the blood that for mercy poured out from Your side. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Archangel Gabriel says to you, “Rejoice, O Virgin! You shall inexplicably conceive in your womb the joy that Eve lost because she disobeyed. [SD]

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

O all-pure Maid, be not at all afraid; the fire of the Divinity shall not consume your womb; for the bush of old prefigured you: it was burning and was not at all consumed. [SD]

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

O Virgin, rejoice! You are that mountain, which Daniel foresaw in the Spirit; Christ, the noetic Stone shall be cut from you, and He shall crush the lifeless idols of the demons. [SD]

Glory.

O Mother of God, the King of Peace shall come upon you, to bring peace to those are beleaguered and defeated by the evil counsel of the serpent. [SD]

Both now.

O Mother of God, the King of Peace shall come upon you, to bring peace to those are beleaguered and defeated by the evil counsel of the serpent. [SD]

Heirmos.

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 Menaion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

The Archangel spoke to you, O Theotokos. * Then the Holy Spirit came on you, O Virgin, who conceived * the coessential, coequal Son * of God the Father. Through you, thus, was Adam restored. [GOASD]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 24 the Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and we commemorate our devout father Artemis, Bishop of Seleucia in Pisidia.

On this day we commemorate the holy priest-martyr Artemon, Presbyter of Laodicea.

On this day the devout Zachariah reposed in peace.

On this day the holy eight martyrs from Caesarea in Palestine died by the sword.

On this day the devout Martin of Thebes reposed in peace.

The holy new priest-martyr Parthenios, Patriarch of Constantinople, died by hanging in Constantinople in the year 1657.

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

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From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode vii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Ὁ διασώσας ἐν πυρί.

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

You saved Your Servants in the fire, * Abraham’s three youthful descendants; * and the Chaldeans You destroyed, * for they plotted unjustly against the just. * O supremely extolled and praised * Lord, the God of our fathers, You are blessed. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

You are the rational Ark of the Covenant, loved by the true Giver of the Law. He is shall make His dwelling in you. So, be filled with gladness, for through you He shall renew those who have succumbed to corruption. [SD]

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

O Maiden, the divine choir of the Prophets, perceiving that the Redeemer comes upon you in peace, cries aloud to you, “Rejoice, redemption of all! Rejoice, only salvation of humanity!” [SD]

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

O blessed Virgin Mary, do not be afraid of the voice. Do not be perplexed by the one speaking to you; he is a minister of God. He comes to reveal to you the mystery that was kept secret from the Angels. [SD]

Glory.

O Virgin, you see how the whole world is enslaved to the enemy. And you see that, in His tender mercy, good and gracious God has willed to have mercy on it through you. So do not disbelieve the words of the Angel. [SD]

Both now.

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Forefeast.

Ode viii. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.

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

Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Unwedded Maiden, prepare yourself to become that swift cloud of the Light. Behold, the unsetting Sun from on high will shine on you; and after being concealed within you for a little, He will shine on the world and dissolve the darkness of wickedness. [SD]

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

O immaculate Virgin, the premiere angelic minister shall project a joyful voice, and announce to you, that the Angel of Great Counsel shall, in His goodness, be incarnate of you. To Him we cry aloud, “O all you works, praise you the Lord.” [SD]

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]

O pure one, our Fashioner and Lord knew you to be a pure rose of Sharon and a fragrant lily of the valley; and now He has loved your beauty, and He wills to become incarnate of your blood, so that in His kindness He might banish the foul odor of deceptive error. [SD]

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]

O immaculate Virgin, without departing from the right hand of the Father, the super-essential Son will soon be dwelling in you, so that He might set you, His fair companion, as a Queen at His right hand, and might extend His right hand to all the fallen, and might save us. [SD]

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

(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 3. (NM) God is glorified.

Τὸν ὑπʼ Ἀγγέλων.

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]

The evil one secretly lies in wait for me each day, seeking to catch me and devour me. Deliver me, O Saviour, from his malice, as Thou hast saved Jonah from the whale. [KW]

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

Cleansed through fasting, let us draw near to the mountain of the virtues and let us clearly hear what God will say within us; for He will speak to us of peace and illumination and the healing of our broken souls. [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]

Blinded each day by the darkness of my sins, I cannot perceive Thy wonders, O Lord: but do Thou open the eyes of my heart, O Jesus Giver of Light. [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.

O Ever-Virgin undefiled, with the waters of thy mercy wash from my heart the defilement of the passions, and give me streams of tears to cleanse my soul. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 2. (NM) By a strange miracle.

Τὸν πάλαι δροσίσαντα.

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

The fire shall not be quenched, so it is written, and the worm shall not die. Fear the threat, my soul, and serve Christ, that thou mayest find joy in the dwelling-place of all those who rejoice. [KW]

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

My soul burns with the fever of lust: by Thy touch, I pray Thee, raise it up, as Thou hast raised the mother-in-law of Peter; so shall I be enabled to serve Thee acceptably, returning thanks to Thee for ever. [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.

O ye faithful, let us sing in praise to the Father, eternal and without beginning, and to His coeternal Son, and to the Spirit that shines forth from the Father, three consubstantial Persons but one in sovereign power and rule. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Mary, called by God, truly thou art the mercy-seat of the faithful: for through thee forgiveness is freely bestowed upon all. Cease not to intercede before thy Son and Lord, gaining His gracious favour for us who sing thy praises. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Open the deaf ears of my soul, O Christ, and make my tongue to speak clearly, as once Thou hast done to the deaf man who had an impediment in his speech: so shall I listen to Thy voice and sing to Thee with my tongue, praising Thee for ever. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Τὸν πάλαι δροσίσαντα.

By a strange miracle the Lord of old refreshed with dew the Children of the Hebrews in the fire, yet burnt the Chaldaeans. Let us sing His praises, saying: Bless 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 4.

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 Forefeast.

Ode ix. Mode 4. Heirmos.

Εὕα μὲν τῷ τῆς παρακοῆς.

Because of the malady of disobedience, Eve received the curse within herself. * But you, O Virgin Theotokos, have blossomed forth the blessing to all the world, * by means of the One who sprang from your pregnancy. * And therefore you do we all magnify. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Eve reaped the destructive fruit that brought death; but in you, O Lady, shall the Provider of Immortality, Christ our Sweetness, grow as a fruit. We extol Him, and we glorify you. [SD]

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

O Logos, bow the heavens now and come down to us. The Virgin’s womb has been prepared to be a throne for You, where You shall sit as a most handsome King, to raise from its fall the creation of Your right hand. [SD]

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

O all-blameless Virgin, Christ desired your beauty, and He dwelt in your womb, to rescue the human race from the distortion of the passions, and to restore its ancient beauty. We worship Him, and we glorify you. [SD]

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]

O pure Virgin, you are like unsown ground. By a word receive the heavenly Word, like fruitful wheat, that shall sprout from you, and shall nourish the ends of the world with the bread of knowledge. We worship Him, and we glorify you. [SD]

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

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 3. (NM) O Holy Virgin, Bush that burned.

Σὲ τὴν ἀκατάφλεκτον.

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]

Calling to mind the flames of the fire that never shall be quenched, with fervent hearts let us draw near to the fire of repentance and burn up the passions. [KW]

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

Words of fire came forth of old from the mouth of him who fasted, and overwhelmed the elements. Emulate his zeal, my soul, and live rightly. [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]

Keeping in mind the fearful judgement seat, my wretched soul, always guide thy steps to the accomplishment of the Redeemer’s will. [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.

My soul is darkened by the pleasures; give light to it, pure Virgin, who hast borne the Light, that with fear and faith I may for ever magnify thee. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 2. (NM) With faith let us magnify.

Τὴν ὑπερφυῶς σαρκί.

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]

Let us offer to Christ all the members of our body as weapons of righteousness, ‘lifting up’, as it is written, ‘holy hands, without wrath and doubting’. [KW]

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

Coming once to the disciples in the boat, my Christ, Thou hast stilled the raging sea: do Thou also still the tempest of my thoughts. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I worship one Nature, I sing the praises of three Persons, one God of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sovereignty eternal. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Though a pure maiden thou hearest child, and though a virgin thou givest suck. How can these things be found together? How dost thou give birth and yet remain virgin? ‘It is God who has brought this to pass; ask me not how.’ [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The passions have defiled my soul, and I have been robbed like the man who fell among thieves. But heal me, O my Christ, and pour Thy mercy upon me. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Τὴν ὑπερφυῶς σαρκί.

With faith let us magnify the only Theotokos, for in ways surpassing nature she has conceived within her womb, according to the flesh, the Word that outside time shone forth from the Father. [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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Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

O Virgin pure, we bring to you * the virtues as pre-festal gifts: * the love for the poor like riches, * and chastity and self-restraint,* our sacred hymns and prayers tears, * our fasting and humility. * Please help us all to do these works, * and watch over us, O Lady * compassionate Theotokos. [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. Grave Mode.

Visit, Lord, my wounded and humiliated soul, O Physician of the sick, storm-free haven of the hopeless. For Thou art the Deliverer of the world, and hast come to raise the fallen from corruption. In Thy great mercy raise me also, for I kneel before Thee. [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.

Grave Mode.

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

In the midst of the arena, before the lawless pagans, the victorious martyrs cried aloud rejoicing: ‘O Lord, glory to Thee.’ [KW]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

The Theotokos heard a tongue she knew not. For the Archangel spoke to her the words of the Annunciation. When she accepted the salutation with faith, she conceived You, the pre-eternal God. We also greatly rejoice, and we say to You: O God, Who without changing became incarnate of her, grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

READER

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.