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Pentecostarion

The Ascension - On Wednesday of the Sixth Week in the Evening

Menaion - May 21

Memory of Sts. Constantine and Helen

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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

READER

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

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

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

Psalm 103 (104).

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

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

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

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

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

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

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

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

Show Stichologia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera for the Feast.

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

From Pentecostarion - - -

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

The Lord was taken up to heaven, in order to send the Holy Spirit to the world. The heavens prepared His throne; the clouds were the means of His approach. Angels marvel, seeing a human being higher than themselves. The Father receives Him whom He has coeternal in His bosom. The Holy Spirit gives the order to all His Angels, “Lift up the gates, O you rulers.” Oh, clap your hands, all you nations! For Christ has ascended to where He was before. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me. [SAAS]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

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

At Your Ascension, O Lord, the Cherubim, on whom You sit as God, were amazed as they saw You ascending on the clouds. And we glorify You, for Your mercy is good. Glory to You! [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

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

We have seen Your exaltations on those holy mountains, O Christ, You who are the brightness of the Father’s glory; and we extol the resplendent appearance of Your face. We worship Your Passion, we honor Your Resurrection, and Your glorious Ascension we glorify. Have mercy on us. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

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

Lord, when Your Apostles saw You being lifted up on the clouds, they were filled with sadness. They grieved, and with tearful laments they said to You, O Christ the giver of life, “Master, do not make orphans of us your servants, whom You loved for pity’s sake, You who are compassionate. But as You promised, send us Your all-holy Spirit, to guide and illumine our souls.” [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

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

When You had completed the mystery of Your plan for our salvation, O Lord, You took Your Disciples with You and went up onto the Mount of Olives. And behold, You passed through the sky’s firmament, You who for my sake became poor like me. And now, having ascended to there from where You were never gone, send out Your all-holy Spirit, to illumine our souls. [SD]

Stichera. For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

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

You gave to our Emperor Your precious Cross as the mightiest * plate of armor, O Christ our God, * by which he has reigned on earth in a righteous manner, * shining with the true faith. * You made him worthy to receive * the rule of heaven, in Your own tender love. * Almighty Jesus, Savior of our souls, with him we all glorify * Your benevolent plan, by which * You have saved the entire world. [SD]

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

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

You who are benevolent gave to Your servant, Saint Constantine, * the good judgment of Solomon, * and also the gentleness of the Prophet David, * and the Orthodoxy of the Apostles, as You are * the King of kings and the Lord of those who lord. * O Jesus, the almighty Savior of our souls, we all glorify * Your benevolent plan, by which * You have saved the entire world. [SD]

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

You were first, O ever-memorable Emperor, to submit * the imperium willingly * to Christ, knowing Him as God, universal Sovereign, * the world’s Benefactor, Giver of victories, who is * above all power and all authority. * Then Jesus, as the Savior of our souls, the Lord most benevolent, * O Christ-loving Constantine, was the guide of your kingly rule. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

You received the advantages of abundant gifts from God, O mightiest King Constantine the Great, and you distinguished yourself in them. Through baptism, you were illumined by the rays of the all-holy Spirit. You became invincible among emperors; and to your Creator you conferred, as a donation, the Empire and the God-fearing Ruling City. Therefore never cease entreating Christ our God, to whom you speak with confidence, that He grant forgiveness of sins and great mercy, to all who observe your memory. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

You never left the Father’s bosom, O sweetest Jesus, even as You lived among those on earth as man. And today, You ascended in glory from the Mount of Olives, and sympathetically You also exalted our fallen nature, and You seated it with the Father. Therefore the celestial orders of the bodiless hosts were amazed by the wonder, and they were struck with astonishment, and overcome with trembling they extolled Your benevolence. We on earth join them in glorifying Your condescension to us and Your ascension from us, and we entreat You and say: You filled Your Disciples and Your Mother the Theotokos with infinite joy by Your Ascension; by their prayers, will You also count us worthy of the joy of Your elect, because of Your great mercy. [SD]

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Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

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

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DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 1.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power.

The Readings

From Pentecostarion - - -

For the Feast.

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 2:2 – 3

Thus says the Lord: Now it shall come to pass in the last days, the mountain of the Lord and the house of God shall be visible on the tops of the mountains and exalted above the hills. All the Gentiles shall come to it. Many Gentiles shall travel and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will proclaim His way to us, and we shall walk in it.” [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 62:10 – 63:1

Thus says the Lord: “Go through My gates, make a way for My people, throw the stones off the road, and lift up a standard for the Gentiles.” For behold, the Lord caused this to be heard to the ends of the earth: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your Savior is come, and has His reward, and His work before His face.’” One shall call them a holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and you shall be called a City Sought for and Not Forsaken. Who is this who comes from Edom with red garments from Bozrah, so beautiful in His apparel, with force of strength? “I speak of righteousness and saving judgment.” Why are Your garments red and Your apparel as one who treads in a winepress? “I am full of the treading of grapes, and there is no man with Me among the nations.” I remembered the Lord’s mercy, the praises of the Lord in all things in which the Lord recompenses us. The Lord is a good judge to the house of Israel, and He deals with us according to His mercy, and according to the multitude of His righteousness. He said, “Surely My people, My children, have not rejected Me?” So He became their salvation. Not an elder or an angel, but the Lord Himself saved them from all their tribulation, because He loved them and spared them. He redeemed and took them up, and lifted them up all the days of old. [SAAS]

From Menaion - - -

For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

READER

The reading is from the Third Book of the Kingdoms (1 Kings).

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

3Kg 8:20 – 21, 25 – 28

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said, “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below. If the heaven and the heaven of heaven will not be sufficient for You, how much less even this temple I built in Your name? Yet, O Lord God of Israel, regard my prayer, which Your servant is praying before You today, that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to hear the prayer Your servant prays in this place day and night. You will hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. You will hear in Your dwelling place in heaven, and You will be merciful.” [SAAS]

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LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Litany and Blessing of Loaves.

CHOIR

Idiomela of the Feast.

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Now that You have ascended to heaven, from where You descended, please do not leave us orphans, O Lord. May Your Spirit come and bring peace to the world. Show the sons of men Your mighty works, O Lord who love humanity. [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

O Christ, You ascended to Your unoriginate Father, having never parted from His uncircumscribed bosom. The hosts on high appended nothing to their thrice-holy hymn of praise, for they acknowledged You, O Lord, as one Son, only-begotten of the Father, even after Your incarnation. In the abundance of Your tender mercies, have mercy on us. [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

O Lord, Your Angels said to the Apostles, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, is Christ God. He will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven. Serve Him in holiness and righteousness.” [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

From Pentecostarion - - -

O Christ, when You went to the Mount of Olives, to perform the good will of Your Father, the Angels of heaven were amazed, while those of the netherworld shuddered in fear. Your Disciples were there, trembling with joy as You spoke to them. Nearby a cloud, like a throne, was ready and waiting. The sky opened its gates and heaven’s beauty appeared. The earth uncovered its crypts, to show that Adam had gone down and come back up again. Then Your feet were lifted, as if by a hand. Your mouth uttered great blessings, which were heard. The cloud took You, and heaven received You within. You worked this great and marvelous deed, O Lord, for the salvation of our souls. [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

From Pentecostarion - - -

In yourself You renewed the nature of Adam, which had descended to the netherworld, O God. And today You lifted it higher than all Principalities and Authorities. For since You loved it, You sat it with You; sympathetic, You joined it to You; united, You suffered with it; suffering, albeit impassible, You glorified it with You. Then the bodiless hosts began to say, “Who is this handsome man? Not merely man, but God and man. What we see is the two combined.” Then two distinguished Angels in white robes said to the Disciples, “Men of Galilee, this Jesus, man and God, who was taken up from you, will come again as God-man, the judge of the living and the dead. And to those who believe in Him He gives forgiveness of sins and the great mercy.” [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

From Pentecostarion - - -

When You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, as Your Disciples were watching, the clouds physically carried You away; heavenly gates were lifted up; and the host of Angels rejoiced in exultation. The higher ranked Powers shouted and said, “Lift up the gates, O you our rulers, and the King of glory shall enter.” And the Disciples were amazed, and they prayed, “Please do not part from us, O Good Shepherd, but send us Your all-holy Spirit, to guide us and to strengthen our souls.” [GOASD]

For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

Idiomelon 1.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

We dutifully observe your memory, O Constantine, equal to the Apostles, and foundation and boast of all kings. When you were illumined with the rays of the Spirit, you brightened the entire Church of Christ. For you assembled the faithful from everywhere, in the illustrious city of Nicea, and there the audacity of the ungodly was stamped out, and the tongues of heretics were shown to be weak and foolish. And as the true Faith became apparent, the Orthodox were exalted. That is why they glorified you as being most Orthodox, and you were proclaimed father of all emperors, for you first received the scepter from God. Therefore, we who faithfully keep your memory, pray you to entreat for the forgiveness of sins for our souls. [SD]

Idiomelon 2.

Mode 1.

It was not from men that you received your calling, O glorious Constantine, but like the inspired Apostle Paul, you received it from on high, from Christ God, as an equal to the Apostles. You saw the sign of the Cross in the sky, and being caught by it like excellent prey, in this sign you conquered visible and invisible enemies, and you were invincible. Therefore, we on earth worthily honor your memory, and we beseech you, a most ardent intercessor: Pray for us with confidence, that we be granted illumination, forgiveness, and the great mercy. [SD]

Idiomelon 3.

Mode 2.

The memorial of Constantine the pious, like perfume that is poured out, has arisen today. He longed for Christ and therefore held the idols in contempt. On earth he erected a temple to the One who was crucified for us; while in heaven he received the crown of hope. [SD]

Idiomelon 4.

Mode 3.

You were still young when, like Paul the God-inspired Apostle, you received the divine gift from heaven. Then, with the Cross as armor, you brought down the insolence of the fierce enemy. O Constantine, the boast of emperors and the peer of the Apostles, entreat the Lord on our behalf, to save our souls. [SD]

Idiomelon 5.

Mode 4.

O all-lauded Constantine, on the occasion of your sacred memory, praise is sung to God from earthly lips. You were a consummate soldier of the word of faith, and in the battle you heaped reproach on the faces of the idols. And now, as you are established in the light of the Trinity, through your intercessions you set our minds on fire with light. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Today the Church celebrates your reign, and she rejoices mystically, O King. As she rightly honors your all-venerable memory, she sings hymns of praise to you, and she salutes you and says: “Rejoice! You zealously emulated St. Paul, you took up the Cross of Christ, and you crushed the snares of the enemy. Rejoice! Most excellent of rulers, and equal in honor to Apostles. Rejoice! You were the support of the faithful and the rampart of emperors.” O blessed Constantine, the adornment of Emperors, never cease interceding with the Lord on our behalf, for you have great access to Him. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

Lord, when in Your goodness You had fulfilled the mystery, which had been hidden for ages and generations, You came with Your Disciples to the Mount of Olives. With You was Your Mother, who had given birth to You, the Maker and Creator of all. It was right that she, who maternally felt more pain than anyone else at Your Passion, should also experience overwhelming joy at the glory of Your flesh. As we also experience this joy at Your ascension into the heavens, O Master, we glorify Your great mercy that has come to us. [SD]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,

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; the holy, glorious, great, God-crowned Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, the Equals to the Apostles, whose memory we are celebrating; and all Your saints:

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.

PRIEST or: CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Blessing of the Loaves.

Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.

For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CLERGY

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (2) [SAAS]

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Aposticha of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode 2.

You were born, as You so willed; You appeared, as You so wished. You suffered in the flesh, O our God; You rose from the dead, after trampling death. You were taken up in glory, You who fill the universe; and You sent us the divine Spirit, that we might extol and glorify Your Divinity. [SD]

Idiomelon 2. Mode 2.

Verse: Oh, clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with the voice of rejoicing. [SAAS]

As You were being lifted up from the Mount of Olives, O Christ, the angelic hosts were watching, and they said one to the other, “Who is this?” And the other responded, “This is He who is strong and mighty; this is He who is powerful in battle. He is truly the King of Glory.” “And why are His garments red?” “He comes from Bozrah, which is the flesh.” You, as God, sat at the right hand of the majesty, and You sent us the Holy Spirit, to guide us and to save our souls. [SD]

Idiomelon 3. Mode 2.

Verse: God ascended with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. [SAAS]

You ascended in glory from the Mount of Olives in the presence of Your Disciples, O Christ God, and You sat at the right hand of the Father, You who fill the universe with Your Divinity. And You sent them the Holy Spirit, which illumines and strengthens and sanctifies our souls. [SD]

Glory. For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

As a flash of lightning, as a comet from the Far West, your course was diverted from unbelief to faith in the true God, and you were led to sanctify your people and your City. And you saw the sign of the Cross in the sky, and from there you heard, “Hereby conquer your enemies.” Thus when you received the knowledge of the Spirit, and with oil were anointed as Priest and King, you reinforced the Church of Christ our God, O father of Orthodox Emperors. Your coffin pours out healings. Constantine, the peer of the Apostles, earnestly intercede on behalf of our souls. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

God ascended with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, to exalt the fallen image of Adam, and to send the Paraclete Spirit to sanctify our souls. [SD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

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

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PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

Apolytikion.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4.

You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, after You filled the Disciples with joy, by promising to send them the Holy Spirit, and You blessed them and established their faith, that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. [SD]

Glory. For the Equals-to-the-Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Your Apostle among the Rulers, St. Constantine, who once beheld in the sky the image of Your Cross, and who like Paul received his calling not from man, once entrusted the Ruling City into Your hand. We entreat You to restore it in peace forever, at the intercession of the Theotokos, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4.

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

May He who ascended from us into heaven in glory, and sat at the right hand of God the Father, 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, the holy, glorious, great, God-crowned Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, the Equals to the Apostles, whose memory we are celebrating; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

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

CHOIR: Amen.