Books - Sources

Hieratikon

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Horologion

Apolytikia for Weekdays

Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Thursday Morning

Menaion - November 19

Memory of the Holy Prophet Obadiah; and the holy Martyr Barlaam

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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.

Grave Mode.

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]

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

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

Troparia.

From Octoechos - - -

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

The fruit that killed me of old was good for food and beautiful to contemplate. But Christ is the very tree of life, from which I eat and die not. And echoing the Robber’s words, I cry out, “Remember me in Your kingdom, O Lord.” [SD]

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

O wise Apostles, you caught the Gentiles * as if shoals of fish in your net, * and brought them from the sea of unbelief * to faith worthy of the Godhead, * and like a very costly dish * laid them on the spiritual table, O glorious ones. [SD]

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

When had driven away the darkness * of deadly deception by the light * of Gospel preaching, then you clearly gave * divine illumination * to the true believers’ hearts. * Therefore now with godly songs * we extol you, O Apostles of Christ. [SD]

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

For the Martyrs.

Although your members were being cut off * by the sword, O Athletes of Christ, * yet you were never cut off from His love, * but you hastened to join Him * in the heavens, where you dwell * with the Savior joyously, * radiant with glory divine. [SD]

Glory.

The wicked devil who has corrupted * the human race has a hold on me. * Almighty Holy Trinity, my God, * rescue me from his gullet, * at the Apostles’ holy prayers, * so that I may magnify * Your immense mercy. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O modest Virgin, you truly brought forth * Him who with the Father shares the throne, * and who to make the essence of mankind * immortal took mortal * flesh from your all-holy blood. * Therefore we are duty-bound * to extol and macarize you. [SD]

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 Day.

For the Apostles.

From Horologion - - -

Mode 3.

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

For St. Nicholas.

Mode 4.

A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. You were humble and therefore you acquired exalted gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. O Father and Hierarch St. Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]

For the Prophet.

Mode 2.

As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Obadiah, through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls. [SD]

For the Martyr.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

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

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion for the Day. For the Apostles.

Mode 2. Automelon.

Τοὺς ἀσφαλεῖς.

You have taken to yourself, O Lord, the pinnacles of Your Disciples, those unerring theologians and preachers, to enjoy Your blessings and repose. For You accepted their labors and their death as being higher than any whole-burnt offering, for only You know what is in the heart. [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 pl. 4. Psalm 18.

Their proclamation went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. [SAAS]

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows the creation of His hands. [SAAS]

The Epistle

Thursday of the 25th Week

The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians.

2 Th. 2:13 – 17; 3:1 – 5

Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode 1. Psalm 88.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: The heavens shall confess Your wonders, O Lord. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: God is glorified in the counsel of saints.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

Thursday of the 9th Week of Luke

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Lk. 16:1 – 9

The Lord said this parable, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.” [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.

Their proclamation went forth into all the earth, and their 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, 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.