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Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.

On Saturday Morning

Menaion - November 28

Memory of our Devout Father Stephen the New; and the Holy Martyr Irenarchus

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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. For St. Stephen.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

When you had trained ascetically on the mountain, * wearing the armor of the Cross, blessed Father, * you then destroyed the spiritual armies of the foe. * Afterwards you manfully stripped yourself for the contest * and you slew Copronymous with the sword of the true Faith. * For both these vict’ries you were crowned by God, * monastic Martyr * Saint Stephen, extolled by all. [SD]

Glory. For the Martyr.

Mode 4.

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]

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 pl. 4.

Holy Martyrs, you were shown to be spiritual luminaries; for by faith you ended the fogginess of error, you brightened the lamps of our souls, and with glory you entered the celestial bridal hall with the Bridegroom. Now we pray you entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]

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

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

When they had deadened burning impulses and movements * of sinful passions by their self-control and virtue, * then the Martyrs of Christ were given the divine grace * of driving away the illnesses of the sick * and working wonders, alive and after their death. * Paradoxical miracle it is indeed, that naked bones * should pour out cures abundantly. * Glory be to our only God. [SD]

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

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

By your strong faith as martyrs you have become * ever radiant torches for all the world, * for you placed your every hope * in the Lord, who enabled you; * you kept your souls, like lamps, lit * with the spiritual oil * of the all-holy Spirit, * O Martyrs extolled by all. * Therefore you are also known as spiritual wine bowls * that serve up as beverages * cures and healings to all mankind, * O victorious martyr saints. * Intercede with Christ our God * that He grant forgiveness of offenses * to those who with longing observe your holy memory. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

You were born of a Virgin, and You endured crucifixion for us, O good Lord. By Your death You divested death of spoils, and You displayed resurrection, as God. Please do not despise us, the work of Your hand. Demonstrate Your loving kindness, O merciful Master. Defer to Your Mother, the Theotokos, when she intercedes on our behalf, and save us, Your people in despair, O Savior. [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 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]

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

For the Dead.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

In Your surpassing benevolence, O Master, * number our brethren, who have piously from this life * passed away, with the Righteous in dwellings of the chosen. * Since You are good, forgive all their offenses, * voluntary and involuntary as well. * Let them rest in the places where those who are celebrating dwell, * and grant them the eternal delight * of the Garden of Paradise. [SD]

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

O only Creator who with benevolence arrange all things with depth of wisdom, and impart to all what is beneficial, O Lord, grant repose to the souls of Your servants. For they have placed their hope in You our Creator and Fashioner and God. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

We have you as a fortress and a port and an acceptable intercessor with God, whom you bore, O unwedded Theotokos, the salvation of the faithful. [SD]

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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]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

On this day the Church of Christ faithfully honors * your most sacred memory and celebrates it with a feast. * With faith extolling you she proclaims: * “Divine St. Stephen, the boast of monastic saints!” [SD]

Oikos.

Truly the proclamation of your achievements has gone into all the earth, O wise monastic Martyr. You did them all in a wondrous manner. Therefore, I implore you, O Saint, since you have access to God: Entreat Him to give me eloquence, to extol the contests that you won against enemies visible and invisible. First through asceticism you mortified and subdued all the movements of the flesh; and now through your contest you have vanquished the tyrant, divine St. Stephen, the boast of monastic saints! [SD]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 28, we commemorate our devout father Stephen the New the Confessor.

On this day, Saint Andrew died for the sake of the holy Icons, after he was dragged on the ground.

On this day, Saint Peter also died for the holy Icons, after he was struck.

On this day, Saint Anna died, after she was struck in order to denounce Saint Stephen.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs, who witness together with Saint Stephen for the sake of the holy Icons.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyr Irenarchus and the seven holy women with him.

We also commemorate our father among the saints Theodore, who was Bishop of Theodosioupolis, Armenia, during the reign of emperor Maurice.

These holy Martyrs in Tiberioupolis: Timothy and Theodore the bishops; Peter, John, Sergius, Theodore, and Nikephoros the priests; Basil and Thomas the deacons; Hierotheos, Daniel, Chariton, Socrates, Komasios, Eusebios the monks; and Etimasios, died by the sword.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 2.

Ἐκ φλογὸς τοῖς Ὁσίοις.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

From the flame You refreshed pious Servants as with dew * and with water consumed the righteous Prophet’s sacrifice. * You accomplish all, O Christ, simply by willing it. * We exalt You beyond measure, 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. 2.

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. 2.

Θεὸν ἀνθρώποις.

It is impossible for God to be seen * by people; and angelic orders dare not to look at Him. * But the Word incarnate has been seen by mankind, through you, O all-pure Virgin. * Now magnifying Him, * joining the celestial hosts, all generations call you blest. [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 3. Our Savior from on high.

Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡμᾶς.

O Stephen, you received * a double crown from Christ the King, * for extreme asceticism * and martyrdom in the defense * of veneration of His image, * and that of all the Saints. * With them remember us to Him. [SD]

Another.

Mode 3. Our Savior from on high.

Ἐπεσκέψατο ἡμᾶς.

O Stephen, you put to shame * those who refused as godless men * to honor the icon of Christ. * And thus you were decorated * with handsome marks of martyrdom. * Therefore we will faithfully forever pronounce you blest. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 3. Our Savior from on high.

Only mother who knew no man, * Virgin pure and immaculate, * all-holy Queen and Lady, * we beseech you to entreat * our Redeemer born of you, * to save the world from every * evil and tribulation. [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 pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

You, as King, have signed the order that proclaims my liberty, * with Your fingers, O God of all, * that were reddened as with ink in Your all-holy blood, O Lord. * And now we earnestly pray to You with faith, * for the deceased who have passed away to You, * who are compassionate. * Number them along with the first-born on high. * Count them worthy to receive the joy of righteous saints. [GOASD]

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

What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

You performed high-priestly ministry, when You, O Christ, as a man, * being slaughtered, offered yourself * as a sacrifice to God, * and delivered mankind from death. * Now in the land of the living please assign * a place for those who have passed away, O Lord, * in Your benevolence, * there where the abundant waters of delight * ever flow and fountains pour out everlasting life. [GOASD]

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

What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

Lord, in Your profound, ineffable wisdom You fix the time * of the life and foresee the death * of Your servants, and then You * transfer them to another life. * We pray for those You have taken to yourself. * Lead them beside the still waters to repose * in the resplendent light * of Your saints and righteous, and to hear the sound * of the celebration with a voice of great joy and praise. [GOASD]

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

What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

Logos, as You are invisible, the consubstantial Son * of the Father, and share the throne * with the Spirit, You appeared * in the flesh for humanity. * To You, our merciful and benevolent * life-giving Lord, we now pray for the deceased, * that You envelop them * in the splendid beauty of Your most divine * majesty, adorning them with Your magnificence. [GOASD]

Glory. For St. Stephen.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3.

O devout Stephen, like another Samuel, you were dedicated to God from your mother’s womb. As your name means crown, you proved to be a crown of the faithful, a staff and foundation of the true Faith, and a pure dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Pray to God, that He grant great mercy to us who honor you. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 3.

Without seed you conceived by the Holy Spirit. As we sing and glorify you, we cry out to you: Rejoice, O all-holy Virgin! [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 St. Stephen.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

When you had trained ascetically on the mountain, * wearing the armor of the Cross, blessed Father, * you then destroyed the spiritual armies of the foe. * Afterwards you manfully stripped yourself for the contest * and you slew Copronymous with the sword of the true Faith. * For both these vict’ries you were crowned by God, * monastic Martyr * Saint Stephen, extolled by all. [SD]

Glory. For the Martyr.

Mode 4.

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]

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, of our devout and God-bearing father Stephen the New, whose memory we observe, 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.