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Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Menaion - November 16

Memory of the Holy Evangelist Matthew

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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.

Psalm 102.

Psalm 145.

The Beatitudes.

Mode 4.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]

Canon for the Evangelist.

Ode iii. Mode 4. Establish your servants.

From Menaion - - -

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]

As beacons of life you have revealed Your Apostles, O Master, Word of God, * to drive away the darkness and * the gloom of all ungodliness, * and with Your divine glory’s light, * illuminating the world entire. [JMB]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]

You armed the most excellent Saint Matthew, O Savior, with Your armor’s array, * thus making him more mighty than * the tyrants, and revealed him as * destroyer of the idols’ fraud, * Master and Lover of humankind. [JMB]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]

The sound of your fiery tongue, burnt up all the altars of demons and false gods, * O Matthew, most inspired by God, * the Advocate’s own instrument, * through whom Christ is proclaimed to all * as Word of God in hypostasis. [JMB]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]

Theotokion.

The wise Matthew’s trumpet of theology sounds forth with might to all the world, * enlightening the peoples with the brightness of the Trinity * and, past all thought, the Word of God’s * taking on flesh from you, Spotless one. [JMB]

Canon for the Evangelist.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode 4. The storm of my many sins.

Ἦλθον εἰς τὰ βάθη.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]

Matthew, Your inspired theologian, * was once a tax-collector, * but he followed You, omnific Master, * and he became a superb Evangelist, * transfigured by Your omnipotence. [GOASD]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]

O all-blessed Matthew, many Gentiles * were trained and educated * by the words of your most sacred Gospel * which fed their souls; and to the epitome * of the virtues they were lifted up. [GOASD]

Glory.

Many congregations of believers * were caught in godly-woven * fishing nets of Matthew, Your disciple, * who by his Gospel continues leading more * to know You, our Benefactor and Lord. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Matthew, that most excellent of authors, * recorded in his Gospel, * O all-blessed and all-holy Virgin, * that without seed or corruption you gave birth * to the Maker of the universe. [GOASD]

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

Apolytikion. For the Evangelist.

Mode 3.

O holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. [SD]

Trisagios Hymn

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

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

THE READINGS

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 103.

He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. [SAAS]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly. [SAAS]

The Epistle

For the Evangelist.

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

Rom. 10:11 – 21; 11:1 – 2

Brethren, the scripture says, “No one who believes in God will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode 2. Psalm 148.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

For the Evangelist.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 9:9 – 13

At that time, as Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Communion Hymn. Psalm 18.

His proclamation went forth into all the earth, and his words to the ends of the world. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DISMISSAL

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 and glorious Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, whose memory we observe, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Fasting Rule

Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.

It is the Christmas fast.