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Octoechos - Mode 4.

On Saturday Morning

Menaion - September 5

Memory of the Holy Prophet Zacharias, Father of the Forerunner

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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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

As a priest according to the Law of God you offered up * whole-burnt offerings, and they were most acceptable to Him, * dressed in the vestments of the priesthood, O Zacharias. * And you became a light, and you beheld mysteries; * and clearly you displayed the signs and symbols of grace * within yourself. And you, were assassinated * by the sword in the Temple of God. * O all-wise Prophet of Christ the Savior,* join the Forerunner in praying that our souls be saved. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 16. Then the short litany.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

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Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Your prize-winning martyr Saints, equipped and armed with the cross, * defeated the machinations of the arch-evil foe * of mankind, O Christ our God. * Shining like stars in heaven, * they are guides for us mortals. * To those who with faith request them, they dispense cures and healings. * Through their intercessions we pray You to save our souls. [SD]

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

Your Church is arrayed in the holy blood of Your Martyrs who witnessed throughout the world, as though in purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to You, Christ our God, “Send down to Your people Your tender love, grant peace from above to Your commonwealth, and to our souls Your great mercy.” [SD]

Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them He magnified all His will. [SAAS]

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [GOASD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 17. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For the Martyrs.

Mode 4.

The hosts of the Angels are in attendance today, for the observance of the memory of the prize-winning martyrs, to illumine the minds of the faithful, and to brighten the civilized world with grace. O God, be importuned by them, and grant us Your great mercy. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]

For the Dead.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Give rest to the souls that You translated from earth * and temporal things to be with You, the only immortal and almighty God. * Pardon them and forgive them * every sin they committed. * Merciful One, have mercy on the works of Your divine hands, * through the prayers of the Theotokos, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Your servants who faithfully lived out their temporal lives * and finally fell asleep in death have passed on to You, * our merciful Lord and God. * Savior, we pray You put them in a place of relaxation. * Forgive and overlook any sins that they committed, * O Master, and let them stand at Your right hand on Judgment Day. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Pure Virgin and Bride of God, all we believers have you * a protector and ardent intercessor, praying for us * to God to forgive our sins. * Be now an intercessor on behalf of the faithful * who passed away to God, and be their gate to salvation, * and usher them into the spaciousness of Paradise. [GOASD]

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READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

Zacharias, God-inspired * Prophet and priest of the Most High, * who begot the Forerunner, * today for all the believers * has prepared a banquet table in celebration * of his feast, serving the drink of his righteous virtues. * Therefore let us all extol him * as a divine mystic of the grace of God. [SD]

Oikos.

At the words of an Angel, the high priest accepted the cessation of the Law, and he received the Prophet and Mystic and Messenger of Christ, with the help of Elizabeth the barren and discreet. Once he was born, grace was renewed, along with our deliverance and universal reconciliation. And Zacharias proclaims that the Son of the Virgin is the one who gave a child to the barren woman; and thus he was a divine mystic of the grace of God. [SD]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On September 5, we commemorate Zacharias the Prophet, the father of the Forerunner.

On this day St. Abdaeus, died when he was beaten with spiked rods.

On this day, we commemorate the holy martyrs Medimnus, Urban, Theodore, and 80 priests and deacons.

On this day we commemorate St. Peter of Athira.

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

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CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Τὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

O extol Him, who on the holy mountain * showed His glory, as Lord, * and in the bush with fire * revealed to Moses knowledge of the mystery * of the Ever-Virgin, supremely exalting Him unto all the ages. [SD]

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Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode pl. 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]

Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Κυρίως Θεοτόκον.

You are the Theotokos * lit’rally, O Virgin; * and we confess it, for we have been saved through you * whom we, O pure one, with choirs of angels magnify. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

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Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

You served almighty God as priest according to the Law’s decree * without reproach; you were blameless, * O Prophet Zacharias. * As you were burning incense, the Archangel came and said to you, * “You will beget Christ’s Forerunner; * he will be the mediator * of the Law and of divine grace.” [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

O Virgin Mother, past is all * that came to pass within the Law * and as a type like a shadow; * for without seed you have mothered * our God, the Giver of the Law, * for the redemption of mankind. * And therefore make me also strong * in the divine Law, for I am * overcome by the law of sin. [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

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 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 of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

Frightening indeed, and quite so, is the mystery known as death, how a soul then is forcibly * separated from its frame, parting from its body; * severed is that union, which is most natural and innate, * by Your divine will. And therefore we entreat * that You who are benevolent grant the departed eternal rest, * where the saints and the righteous dwell, * O our God and the Giver of life. [SD]

Verse: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]

You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

Death is shown to be but slumber for believers, O Savior Christ * and the Lord of the universe, * since You were laid in a tomb, * and since You dismantled * all of death’s dominion * and You abolished all its might * that had prevailed over us for many years. * And therefore we entreat You now that You will place those who pass away * in the dwellings of all Your saints * in Your mansions that perish not. [SD]

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things. [SAAS]

You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

You, O Lord, became for us sanctification and righteousness * and redemption for all our souls. * For You have presented us * to the holy Father * justified and ransomed, having accepted for our sake * the price and penalty that was owed by us. * We therefore now implore You to grant rest to those who have passed away * in a place of bright joyousness, * Benefactor and Savior Christ. [SD]

Verse: And their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS]

You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

Now the human race has been recalled from former corruption to * incorruption with no decay, * for it has been bathed and cleansed * in the blood that poured out * from Your side, O Savior; * and in Your blood You washed away * from us the sin of Adam our ancestor. * And therefore we entreat You to grant rest to those who have passed away * in eternal dwellings of Yours, * with the hosts of Your martyr saints. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

Following the sayings of the God-inspired, all-blameless one, * we consider you truly as * the Mother of God, for you * ineffably gave birth to * God who took a body * and then redeemed and ransomed us * who were in bonds and enslaved because of sins. * We pray you, all-pure Lady, to implore you Son to illuminate * all your servants who passed away * with His own uncreated light. [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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

As a priest according to the Law of God you offered up * whole-burnt offerings, and they were most acceptable to Him, * dressed in the vestments of the priesthood, O Zacharias. * And you became a light, and you beheld mysteries; * and clearly you displayed the signs and symbols of grace * within yourself. And you, were assassinated * by the sword in the Temple of God. * O all-wise Prophet of Christ the Savior,* join the Forerunner in praying that our souls be saved. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

We magnify you, O Theotokos, and salute you: Rejoice! You are the cloud of the never-setting light, for you held in your arm the Lord of glory. [GOASD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

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

CHOIR: Amen.

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

or:

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, the Holy Prophet Zacharias, Father of the Forerunner, whose memory we are observing, 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.