GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Sunday, Jun 7, 2026
Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll
Midnight Office
PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
PRIEST
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.
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.
READER
Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
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 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.
CHOIR
Canon for the Trinity.
Ode i.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (The rod of Moses.)
Ἁρματηλάτην Φαραώ.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
We come before the tri-solar King and Lord, who provides for all. He alone is good by nature and He has the unitary glory of the Godhead. He is God and monarch. To Him we sing the thrice-holy hymn.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
By God-inspired sayings and prophecies from on high, we have been clearly instructed to glorify in three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, the one divinely sovereign, omnipotent, eternal, creative, co-beginningless nature.
Of old, when Abraham joyfully gave hospitality in a sacred type to God, the Creator of all, the Lord in three hypostases, he came to know the single dominion of the three hypostases, and thus he became an initiate of sacred mysteries.
O all-pure Lady, you remained a virgin and yet gave birth to Christ. For our sake, He assumed our nature, and after as before He remained unchanged. I pray you unceasingly entreat Him to forgive me my sins and to deliver me from temptations.
Ode iii.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (In the beginning.)
Ὁ στερεώσας κατʼ ἀρχάς.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
The Prophet Isaiah saw You, the unapproachable God and King of glory, seated on a lofty throne, as Cherubim and Seraphim with unceasing hymns glorified You, the Monad in three hypostases.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
The Logos alone was begotten of the Father as from a Mind, and the Spirit also proceeded from Him ineffably. We have understood this from correct reasoning and the teachings of Scripture, and thus we worship one tri-solar God.
The One who is the unbegotten Father begets the Son without change, light from light, and sends forth by procession the Spirit, consubstantial light, omnificent and equal in honor.
O Virgin Mother Mary, you became the pure temple of Christ. He brought all things into being and ordered them and sustains them, omnificently and omnisciently. I pray you, as His Mother, to ask Him to be gracious to me.
Kathisma.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
To the melody, “When the Bodiless learned of the secret command.”
We the believers now extol the great and mighty deeds * of the tri-solar God and Maker of the universe. * By a simple command God created everything: * the choirs of the angelic orders on high, * the ranks of the Church’s hierarchy on earth; * so that all sing together, “Holy, Holy, Holy are You! * We praise and we glorify * Your dominion, most benevolent God.”
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Mother of never changing God, my heart is ever * subject to change, and tends to sin, for I am careless * and the devil assaults me with cunning temptations. * Good Lady, I pray you strengthen my weakened soul, * imploring Your Son and Master on my behalf. * And with gratitude I will sing, “O Mary, Mother of our God, * have mercy on the flock that you have been given, O all-blameless one.”
Ode iv.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (You are my strength.)
Σύ μου ἰσχύς.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
When Christ, the Sunrise of righteousness, appeared to those in darkness, He dispelled the long unlit night of the passions, and He brought the rising of the Godhead’s light, simple in essence, thrice-radiant in rays, which we ever extol and glorify.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
The Lord of glory, Trinity in persons, in nature simple and unapproachable, is extolled by the mouths of Seraphim, and glorified by our lips of clay, as we say, “O King of all, to Your servants grant mercy and forgiveness of sins.”
O invisible, divine, and Holy Trinity, humane, compassionate, and all-merciful, You sustain all beings. Please do not completely forget me, Your supplicant. Please do not annul the covenant You made with Your servants in Your ineffable mercy.
The pre-eternal Logos found you alone from all time to be beautiful, like that beauty of Jacob, and He dwelt in you, all-pure Virgin, where, in His compassion, he refashioned human nature. Unceasingly entreat Him to rescue me from all distress.
Ode v.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (Why reject me.)
Ἵνα τί με ἀπώσω.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
We glorify You, three co-eternal persons, yet one Lord, the divine nature, simply distinguishing and uniting. And with faith we sing, O divine Holy Trinity, rescue Your servants from distress.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
I greatly lament the infirmity of my mind: how, against my will, I succumb to involuntary changes. I pray You, O Holy Trinity the source of life, establish me firmly in virtue.
I am heavy with the drowsiness of sin and headed toward the sleep of death. I pray You, O humane and most benevolent and all-merciful divine Holy Trinity, take pity on me and wake me up.
O all-pure, all-blameless, Virgin Mother, full of divine grace, please ask your Son and God and Lord to be gracious to me. I entreat you, quickly free me your servant from my passions and sins.
Ode vi.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (Be gracious to me.)
To the melody, “Be gracious to me, O Savior.”
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
We imitate the hierarchies of the celestial intelligences, and in thrice-holy songs from mouths of clay, we glorify You, O super-essential Trinity, ruling as monarch over all.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
One God in three hypostases, You fashioned man in Your image, and wisely You brought all things from nonexistence into being. I worship, adore, extol, and magnify You.
God, the Ruler of all, alone incomprehensible, please dwell in me in, O tri-solar Master, in Your ineffable mercy, and illumine me, and grant me understanding, O compassionate Lord.
O all-immaculate, all-holy Lady, you became the temple of the uncontainable God. Please pray that I, too, become a temple of His divine grace. Also, keep me safe and sound.
Kathisma.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
To the melody, “When the Bodiless learned of the secret command.”
As we confess our faith in God, the Holy Trinity, * simple, unmingled, indivisible, immutable, * unoriginate Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, * the three consubstantial persons, in nature one, * we sing with the holy angels, “Holy are You, * Father, Son, and the Spirit, the all-holy and divine, * be merciful to us whom You * have created in Your image, O Lord.”
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
We ever thank you, O all-holy Theotokos, * and magnify you the all-pure one; and we worship * and extol your divine Son, Maiden highly favored. * All-merciful Virgin, therefore we cry aloud * unceasingly praying, “Save us, since you are good. * Snatch us out from the frightening * examination of accounts * by demons in the hour of trial. * May we your servants not be ashamed.”
Ode vii.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (The fire in Babylon.)
Θεοῦ συγκατάβασιν.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
O God, Trinity and Monad, of old in Your ineffable wisdom and the ocean of Your goodness, You gave me the gift to be Your servant. I pray You do so again, now, O merciful Lord, and free me from distress and sins and passions.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
O God, Trinity and Monad, of old in Your ineffable wisdom and the ocean of Your goodness, You gave me the gift to be Your servant. I pray You do so again, now, O merciful Lord, and free me from distress and sins and passions.
O Father, the unbegotten Nous, O Logos, begotten of Him, O divine Spirit, inexplicably proceeding from the Father, I sing to You, O God, tri-solar Monarch: You are blessed, O God of our Fathers.
O immaculate Virgin, I am dying, for I drank the poison of sin. With faith I pray to you, who gave birth to the Author of life. O all-pure Lady, intercede for me, your servant, and bring me back to life, and free me from distress and sins and passions.
Ode viii.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (The tyrant king.)
Ἑπταπλασίως κάμινον.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
O incomprehensible God and monarchical Lord, You are light, never-setting, thrice-resplendent, tri-solar, monarchical, most simple. I pray You now enlighten my dark and gloomy heart, and make it radiant and luminous, so that I may extol You and glorify You, unto all the ages.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
The most divine Seraphim out of reverence cover their faces and feet with their most sacred wings, unable to look at Your extraordinary beauty, O divine Monarchy, source of goodness, most holy Trinity. Yet we faithfully dare to extol and glorify You, unto all the ages.
My God, You are unoriginate, omnipotent, all-benevolent, initiator, beneficent, boundless, uncaused Cause, Creator, eternal, providential, Savior of the universe; Monad in essence, and a Trinity in persons. I faithfully glorify You, unto all the ages.
O all-immaculate Lady, the never-setting Sun rose on the earth through your virginal childbirth. He rid humanity of the dreary night of idolatry. I pray you enlighten me now with the rays of His divinity, and protect me your servant.
Ode ix.
Mode pl. 4. N/M (The heavens.)
Ἐξέστη ἐπὶ τούτῳ.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
We now glorify You, Ruler of all, omnificent, omnipotent, Nature, above time, source of life, compassionate, humane, good, monarchical Trinity. We pray for forgiveness of sins, world peace, and unanimity among the Churches.
Holy Trinity, our God, have mercy on us and save us.
We now glorify You, Ruler of all, omnificent, omnipotent, Nature, above time, source of life, compassionate, humane, good, monarchical Trinity. We pray for forgiveness of sins, world peace, and unanimity among the Churches.
We extol You, the one Dominion and thrice-radiant, unitary, tri-solar Godhead; and we pray that in Your goodness, You receive us, and free us from our offenses, temptations, and troubles; and quickly restore peace and unity to the Churches, in Your benevolence.
O Christ my Savior, You dwelt in the Virgin’s womb, and You appeared to Your world as both God and man, truly immutable and without confusion. You also promised to be with Your servants always. So we pray that grant peace to all Your flock, at Your Mother’s intercessions.
If the Lity was not sung at Vespers, sing the following:
Idiomela of the Lity.
Idiomelon. Mode 1.
In harmony of faith, let us spiritually celebrate the worldwide festival, to honor the memory of those who from the beginning of time were pleasing to God: the honorable Patriarchs, the assembly of Prophets, the illustrious Apostles, the corps of the Martyrs, the exemplary Ascetics, all the Saints. They incessantly intercede with God, for world peace, and that He grant our souls His great mercy.
Idiomelon. Mode 1.
O come, all you faithful, let us celebrate the all-glorious memory of All Saints, with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Let us call them blessed and honor them: our Savior’s Baptist, Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, Hierarchs, Teachers, devout Monastics, Ascetics, and the Righteous; and also that God-loving league of holy Women. And with one voice let us pray: “O most benevolent Christ our God, at the intercessions of all Your Saints, grant that there be peace in Your churches; grant that our country prevail over foreign and domestic enemies; and grant that our souls receive Your great mercy.”
Idiomelon. Mode 1.
Come, one and all, let us spiritually celebrate the memory of the Saints; for, behold, it is upon us, and it is giving out enriching gifts of grace to us. So let us shout with a joyful voice and a clear conscience, as we salute them and say, “Rejoice, assembly of the Prophets! You declared that Christ would come to the world, and you foresaw as near at hand was yet to come. Rejoice, host of Apostles! You caught the nations in your nets, as fishers of men. Rejoice, corps of Martyrs! From the four corners of the earth, you have come together in the one Faith, and for its sake you endured excruciating tortures, and in the end you received the awards for your contests. Rejoice, apiary of holy Fathers! You withered your own bodies through ascetic discipline. And once you neutralized the carnal passions, your minds were lifted by the love of God, you flew into the heavens; now you celebrate with Angels, and you enjoy the eternal blessings. We entreat you, O Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Ascetics: Earnestly implore the Lord who gave you the awards, that from enemies, seen and unseen, He rescue us, who with faith and love observe your ever-venerable memory.”
Idiomelon. Mode pl. 1.
O believers, let us meet up at the festival today. A spiritual banquet is laid for us, with a mystical punch-bowl, a metaphorical buffet, laden of delicious foods, namely the virtues of the Martyrs. These courageous and resolute souls, from the four corners of the earth, presented to God a rational sacrifice, the best years of their lives. For Him they endured many tortures of their bodily members. Some were beheaded, others had limbs cut off and were dismembered. All the Saints shared in the sufferings of Christ. O Lord, we pray You, who awarded them for the torments they endured: Count us worthy to live according to their example, in Your love for humanity.
Mode pl. 1.
All-venerable Virgin, you are the temple and the gate, the palace and the throne of the King. Through you did Christ the Lord, my redeemer, appear to those who lay asleep in darkness; for He, the Sun of Righteousness, wished to enlighten those whom He formed in His own image with His very own hand. O all-lauded Lady, since you have acquired maternal confidence towards Him, we implore you, intercede unceasingly, and entreat Him to save our souls.
Megalynaria to the Trinity
Mode 2.
It is truly proper to extol the Trinity divine and holy: Unoriginate Father, Maker of all, co-eternal Logos, begotten before all time without change from the Father, and the all-holy Spirit, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father timelessly.
It is truly proper to extol and to glorify You, God the Logos. The Cherubim shudder and tremble at You, and the hosts of heaven offer hymns of glory to You; for You rose from the grave within three days. With fear we glorify You, Christ the Giver of Life.
Come and let us all sing inspired songs, * solemnly extolling as is proper to the divine * Father, Son, and all-holy Spirit, one dominion, * one kingdom, one in essence, three in hypostases.
Immaculate Virgin, when creation saw your Son risen, as befits God, it was filled with great joy and ineffable gladness, and it glorified the Savior, and it honored you.
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.
READER: Amen.
Apolytikion.
Mode 4.
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.”
Lord, have mercy. (40)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
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.
In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!
PRIEST
May God have compassion on us and bless us; may his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
READER
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Holy father, bless.
PRIEST
May He who rose from the dead, 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.
Let us pray for the peace of the world.
READER (intoned after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For the pious and Orthodox Christians.
For our our Archbishop (name).
For our nation.
For the armed forces.
For our absent fathers, brothers and sisters.
For those who help us and those who serve us.
For those who hate us and those who love us.
For those who have asked us, the unworthy, to pray for them.
For the release of the captives.
For those sailing the seas.
For those laid up with illnesses.
Let us also pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth.
And for all our fathers and brethren departed this life, those who lie here in peace, and the Orthodox everywhere.
Let us say for ourselves, also: Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
READER: Amen.
Matins · Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.
CHOIR
Mode pl. 4.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
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.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode pl. 4.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You!
Mode 4.
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.”
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.
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 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.
Kathisma I.
Mode pl. 4. Automelon.
To the melody, “You rose from the dead.”
O Life of all, You rose from the dead; and an Angel, * his countenance like lightning, called out to the women, * “Weep no more! But go quickly and bring to the Apostles the tidings of joy. * Sing out in exultation, ‘Truly risen from the dead is Christ the Lord, * who was well pleased to save the human race, as God our only Savior.’”
Mode pl. 4.
Human beings put a seal on Your tomb; an Angel rolled the stone away from its door. Women saw You risen from the dead, O Savior, and they brought the joyful news to Your disciples in Zion, that You the life of all had risen, and that the bonds of death were shattered. Glory to You, O Lord!
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.
Kathisma II.
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
To the melody, “When the Bodiless learned of the secret command.”
Arrayed in white, Archangel Gabriel appeared bright * and shone like lightning at the Savior Christ’s gravesite, * and he rolled back the stone from the sepulcher’s entrance. * The guards then were overcome with a mighty fear, * and suddenly they became like dead men. * Gone, the guards from the sepulcher; gone, the seal from the stone. * Embarrassed be the lawless ones, surely knowing that Christ arose.
Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.
To the melody, “Having conceived the Wisdom and Word.”
Having risen indeed from the tomb, O Lord, * as recorded in Scripture, You told the devout * women to proclaim Your resurrection to the Apostles. * Then Peter came out and he ran to the tomb; * he was amazed beholding the light in the sepulcher. * Looking in he saw that Your holy body was missing; * the napkin and linen cloths were by themselves, lying separately. * Then he believed it and cried aloud, * “Glory to You, Christ God, for You save all people, O Savior! * You are the reflection of the Father’s glory!”
Mode pl. 4.
In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices, the hosts of Angels and the human race. O consecrated temple and allegorical Paradise, virgins boast of you. For God became incarnate from you, yes, our eternally existing God became a child from you. He made a throne of your womb, and He made your body wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, all creation rejoices. Glory to you!
Resurrectional Evlogetaria.
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”
We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.
Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
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 blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
Hypakoe. Mode pl. 4.
The Myrrh-bearing Women went to the tomb of the Giver of Life, seeking the immortal Master among the dead. And receiving good tidings of joy from the Angel, they reported to the Apostles, that the Lord had risen, granting the great mercy to the world.
CHOIR
Anavathmoi.
Antiphon 1. Mode pl. 4.
From my youth the enemy tempts me, with the pleasures he inflames me. But trusting in You, O Lord, I repel and vanquish him.
Let those who hate Zion become like the grass before it is plucked up. For Christ will cut their necks in pieces with the cutting blade of torments.
In the Holy Spirit is the life of all things living. He is light from light and great God. We extol Him with the Father and the Logos.
Antiphon 2.
Let my heart be humble-minded and covered with the fear of You, O Lord, lest it be exalted and fall from You, all-compassionate Master.
Whoever hopes in the Lord will not fear when He will judge and punish all things with fire.
In the Holy Spirit every holy person sees and speaks as a prophet. They do sublime miracles, praising the one God in three persons. For though It shines with three-fold light, yet the Godhead rules as monarch.
Antiphon 3.
I cried to You, O Lord. Attend to me. Incline Your ear to me who am crying, and purify me prior to taking me from this life.
Everyone who sets in the earth, his mother, will again return thence, to receive the torments or honors for his life’s actions.
From the Holy Spirit comes theology. One God, thrice-holy: The Father is without beginning, and the Son came from Him eternally, and the Spirit, sharing form and throne, shone at once from the Father.
Antiphon 4.
Behold now, what is so good or so pleasant as for brethren to dwell together? For in this the Lord has promised life everlasting.
He who adorns the lilies of the field commands us not to be concerned about our clothing.
In the Holy Spirit, the unifying Cause, all things are sustained in peaceful coexistence. This is so for He is God, with the Father and the Son being truly one in essence.
Prokeimenon.
The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations. (2)
Verse: Praise the Lord, O my soul!
The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.
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 You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, 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.
READER
Resurrectional Kontakion.
When You rose from the grave, You also raised the dead, and You resurrected Adam. Because of Your Resurrection, Eve is rejoicing, and people the world over celebrate Your resurrection from the dead, O very merciful Lord.
Oikos.
When You ransacked the realm of Hades, and You raised the dead, O long-suffering Master, You met the Myrrh-bearing Women, and You gave them joy in place of sorrow. You showed Your Apostles the marks of Your victory, O Savior and Giver of Life, and You illumined creation, O benevolent God. Therefore the world also celebrates Your resurrection from the dead, O very merciful Lord.
Kontakion. For the Saints.
Mode pl. 4. Automelon.
O Planter of creation, Lord, to You does the entire world bring as an offering the God-bearing martyr Saints, as being nature’s first fruits. At their earnest entreaties, keep Your Church in a state of profoundest peace, through the Theotokos, O Lord abundantly merciful.
Oikos.
Those who were martyred throughout the earth, and those who moved their homes to the heavens, the imitators of Christ’s suffering, and those who remove from us our suffering, here today are gathered, shown to be the first fruits of the Church, having held it as the type of that above. And they cried out to Christ, “You are my God; preserve me. This, through the Theotokos, as You are most merciful.”
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On June 7 we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Theodotos of Ankyra.
On this day we also commemorate the Holy Martyr Zinaida (Zenais) the wonderworker.
On this day we also commemorate the Holy women, Aesia and Sosanna, followers of St. Pangratios, Bishop of Taormina. The services in their honor used to be conducted in their shrine in Basiliskos.
On this day we also commemorate the Holy Martyr Lykarion.
On this day, the Holy Martyrs Tarasius and John died by the sword.
On this day, the devout Stephen reposed in peace.
On this day, the devout Anthimos reposed in peace.
On this day, the Holy Sevastiani reposed in peace.
From the Pentecostarion.
On this day, the Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the feast of All Saints, who are from every part of the world, those in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, from the North and from the South.
By the intercessions of Your immaculate Mother and all Your Saints from every age, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us, as our only good and benevolent Lord. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 4.
I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her miracles.
HIERARCH
Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 4.
Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * and graciously in your divine glory give glorious crowns to them.
LEFT CHOIR
Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 4.
When the Prophet Habakkuk heard the divine * and incomprehensible counsel of Your Incarnation * from the Virgin, O Most High, * considering, he cried aloud: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God.
HIERARCH
Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 4.
Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you.
LEFT CHOIR
Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 4.
O godly-minded believers, come * and celebrate this sacred and venerable feast and thus extol * the Theotokos, and clap our hands, * and glorify our God who was truly born of her.
HIERARCH
Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 4.
Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.”
LEFT CHOIR
Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 4.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Guiltless were those Servants in the furnace. * The Son of the Theotokos went and rescued them. * He who was prefigured then, * having been incarnate now, * is gathering the whole wide world into His Church to sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.”
Stand for the Gospel reading.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (from the altar table)
Eothinon 1
Matthew. 28:16 – 20
At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen.”
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
READER
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.
CHOIR
Psalm 50 (51).
Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)
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. And have mercy on me, O God.
At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy.
PRIEST
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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 4.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
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.
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
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.
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.
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.
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 4.
All you born on earth, * with festival lamps in hand, in spirit leap for joy; * and all you the heavenly angelic orders, join in and celebrate; * and honoring the sacred wonders of the Mother of God, * sing the joyful salutation, “O rejoice, * Theotokos, all-blest, ever-virgin pure!”
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.
Mode 2.
Holy is the Lord our God. (2)
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.
For He is holy.
Exaposteilarion.
Eothinon 1.
Mode 2. Automelon.
To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”
Let us in faith now join the Lord’s * disciples on the mountain * in Galilee, and we shall see * Christ saying He was given * all authority, both on high * and below. We shall hear Him * teach how to baptize nations all, * in the name of the Father and of the Son * and the Holy Spirit, and say He always * is with believers to the close * of the age, as He promised.
For the Saints.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”
The Baptist John the Forerunner, the Apostles and Prophets, * Martyrs and holy Hierarchs, the Devout and Ascetics, * and the divine Hieromartyrs, and the God-loving women, * and all the Righteous men of old, and the Angelic orders, * let us extol * dutifully honoring them with praises, * while entreating our Savior Christ * that we attain their glory.
Theotokion. Same Melody.
He who is glorified above * as one divine by Angels, * dwelt among those on earth below, * ineffably departing not from the Father’s bosom. * You, immaculate Lady, * have become the guardian, * host of this great salvation; from your pure blood, * you lent Him your flesh beyond comprehension. * Ask Him, O pure one, that He grant * forgiveness of sins to your servants.
CHANTER
Your blessing, holy Master! Mode pl. 4.
CHOIR
Lauds. Mode pl. 4.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.
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.
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.
Resurrectional Stichera.
Mode pl. 4.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.
Lord, even though You were standing at The Pavement * and Pontius Pilate was judging You, * still You were seated with the Father * on the throne, from which You never left. * And when You rose from the dead * as God, in Your benevolence, * You freed the world from the devil’s bondage, * as our Savior most compassionate.
Mode pl. 4.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Lord, even though You were buried as a mortal * in a sepulcher by Jewish men, * yet a guard of soldiers was watching * over You as though a sleeping king. * As the treasure house of life, * they made it secure with a seal. * But You rose, and You have granted * our souls incorruptibility.
Mode pl. 4.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.
Lord, You have given us Your Cross as a weapon * against the devil, our enemy. * He is gripped with fear and he trembles, * for he cannot bear to see its might, * because it raises the dead; * it neutralized the power of death. * Therefore we worship You and honor * Your burial and resurrection.
Mode pl. 4.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.
Your Angel, who announced Your resurrection, * on the one hand frightened * the soldiers guarding Your tomb, O Lord, * on the other hand he said to the women, * “Why do you seek the living among the dead? * As God, He has risen, * and He has granted life to the entire world.”
For the Saints.
Mode 4. To a brave one.
To the melody, “As one valiant among the Martyrs.”
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.
Christ the Lord has made wondrous all of His Saints that were on the earth, * for as the Apostle declared, they bore His marks * and in their flesh shared His sufferings, adorning themselves therewith, * and distinguishing themselves in the beauty that is divine. Let us therefore praise * and acclaim them as never-fading flowers and as voluntary victims, * and as the Church’s unerring stars.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Christ the Lord has made wondrous all of His Saints that were on the earth, * for as the Apostle declared, they bore His marks * and in their flesh shared His sufferings, adorning themselves therewith, * and distinguishing themselves in the beauty that is divine. Let us therefore praise * and acclaim them as never-fading flowers and as voluntary victims, * and as the Church’s unerring stars.
Verse: The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them.
With the Prophets, Apostles and the devoutest Monastic Saints, * Hieromartyrs, Teachers and every righteous man, * the holy women excelling in ascesis and martyrdom, * the entire host of Saints * and the ranks of the Righteous all be extolled today * with divine hymns, for they are the inheritors of heaven’s rule and kingdom, * and the inhabitants of Paradise.
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
By their virtues’ effulgent light, they made earth to be heaven-like * and they imitated the death of Jesus Christ. * These are the ones who have walked the way that leads to immortal life. * By the surgery of grace, they removed human passions as healers of mankind. * And united throughout the world the Martyrs have courageously contested. * Let us extol all the Saints today.
Eothinon 1.
The disciples hastened to the mountain, for the Lord’s ascension from the earth; and when they saw Him they worshiped Him. He told them about the universal authority He was given, and then He sent them out to all the earth under heaven, to preach the resurrection from the dead and the return to heaven. And He, who never lies, promised to be with them forever. He is Christ our God and the Savior of our souls.
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!”
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. 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.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
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.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.
Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)
Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy.
Divine Liturgy · Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.
DEACON
Master bless.
PRIEST
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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 of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy 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 (in a low voice)
Lord, our God, whose dominion is incomparable and glory incomprehensible; whose mercy is immeasurable, and love for humankind ineffable: Look upon us and upon this holy house in Your loving-kindness, and grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy and compassion.
PRIEST (aloud)
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.
Antiphon 1. Mode 2.
Verse 1: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 3: The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Small 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 (in a low voice)
Lord, our God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect all the members of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You.
PRIEST (aloud)
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.
Antiphon 2. Mode 2.
Verse 1: Praise the Lord, O my soul! I shall praise the Lord while I live; I shall sing to my God as long as I exist.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 2: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; his hope is in the Lord his God.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 3: The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.
Small 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 (in a low voice)
Lord, You have granted us to offer these common prayers in unison and have promised that when two or three agree in Your name, You will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the petitions of Your servants as may be of benefit to them, granting us in the present age the knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come eternal life.
PRIEST (aloud)
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.
Antiphon 3.
Mode pl. 4.
Verse 1: This is the day the Lord made; let us greatly rejoice and be glad therein.
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode pl. 4.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You!
Verse 2: Let heaven and earth praise Him.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You!
As the Third Antiphon is being sung (with its verses), the Priest and Deacon bow three times before the holy Table. Then the Priest gives the holy Gospel to the Deacon, who kisses the Priest’s hand as he receives it, and then circles the holy Table with the Priest following him. Preceded by altar servers holding candles and fans, they exit through the north door for the so-called Small Entrance. When there is no Deacon, the Priest takes the holy Gospel and holds it up in front of his face. When they reach the center of the church, they stop and bow their heads, and the Deacon says in a low voice:
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Master, Lord our God, who has established the orders and hosts of angels and archangels in heaven to minister to Your glory, grant that holy angels may enter with us, that together we may celebrate and glorify Your goodness. 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. Amen.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Master, bless the holy entrance.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON (aloud)
Wisdom. Arise.
CHOIR
Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns after the Entrance.
CHOIR
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode pl. 4.
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You!
For the Saints.
Mode 4.
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.”
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung.
Then:
Kontakion.
Mode pl. 4. Automelon.
Ὡς ἀπαρχάς.
O Planter of creation, Lord, to You does the entire world bring as an offering the God-bearing martyr Saints, as being nature’s first fruits. At their earnest entreaties, keep Your Church in a state of profoundest peace, through the Theotokos, O Lord abundantly merciful.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
O Holy God, who is resting among the holy ones, praised by the Seraphim with the thrice-holy voice, glorified by the Cherubim, and worshiped by every celestial power, You have brought all things into being out of nothing. You have created man according to Your image and likeness and adorned him with all the gifts of Your grace. You give wisdom and understanding to the one who asks, and You overlook not the sinner, but have set repentance as the way of salvation. You have granted us, Your humble and unworthy servants, to stand even at this hour before the glory of Your holy Altar of sacrifice and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the Trisagion Hymn also from the lips of us sinners, and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive all our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship You in holiness all the days of our lives, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages.
PRIEST (aloud)
For You, our God, are holy, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever…
DEACON
and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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.
DEACON
Dynamis.
DEACON (in a low voice)
With your blessing, Master.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Master, bless the throne on high.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Blessed are You upon the throne of the glory of Your kingdom, enthroned upon the Cherubim always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
CHOIR
Dynamis.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
The Epistle
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
READER
Verse: Bless God in the churches.
DEACON
Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
READER
Heb. 11:33 – 40; 12:1 – 2
Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin that easily distracts, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
PRIEST
Peace be with you the reader.
CHOIR
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Alleluia is sung thrice. Verses may be found in the Liturgy - Variable Parts of the day.)
The Holy Gospel
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Shine in our hearts, O benevolent Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind that we may comprehend the proclamations of Your Gospels. Instill in us the fear that Your blessed commandments inspire, so that, crushing carnal desires, we may seek the spiritual citizenship, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the illumination of our souls and bodies, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
PRIEST
Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
DEACON
Mt. 10:32 – 33; 37 – 38; 19:27 – 30
The Lord said to his disciples, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
PRIEST
Peace be with you who read the Gospel.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Again and countless times we fall down before You, and we implore You, O good and benevolent Lord: That You, having regarded our prayer, may cleanse our souls and bodies from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and grant to us to stand before Your holy Altar of sacrifice, free of guilt and condemnation. Grant also, O God, to those who pray with us, progress in life, faith, and spiritual understanding. Grant that they always worship You with awe and love, partake of Your holy sacrament without guilt or condemnation, and be deemed worthy of Your celestial kingdom.
PRIEST (aloud)
That, ever guarded by Your might, we may ascribe glory to You, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
The Cherubic Hymn.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
No one bound by carnal desires and pleasures is worthy to approach, draw near, or minister to You, the King of Glory. For to serve You is great and awesome even for the heavenly powers. Yet, because of Your ineffable and immeasurable love for humankind, You impassibly and immutably became man. You, as the Master of all, became our high priest and delivered unto us the sacred service of this liturgical and bloodless sacrifice. Indeed, Lord our God, You alone reign over the celestial and the terrestrial; borne aloft on the cherubic throne, Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel, the only holy and resting among the holy ones. I now beseech You, who alone are good and inclined to hear: Look down upon me, Your sinful and unprofitable servant, and cleanse my soul and heart of a wicked conscience. Vested as I am with the grace of priesthood by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me sufficient to stand before Your holy Table and perform the sacrament of Your holy and pure Body and Your precious Blood. I come before You, with my head bowed, and I implore You: Turn not Your face away from me, nor reject me from among Your children, but make me, Your sinful and unworthy servant, worthy to offer these gifts to You. For You are the One who both offers and is offered, the One who is received and is distributed, O Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to Your Father, who is without beginning, and Your all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care.
DEACON (in a low voice)
So that we may receive the King of all. Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (3)
DEACON
May the Lord God remember all of you in His kingdom always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
DEACON
Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented, 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 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
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 (in a low voice)
Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy. You accept the sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, even so, accept from us sinners our supplication, and bring it to Your holy Altar of sacrifice. Make us sufficient to offer You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our own misdeeds and those committed in ignorance by the people. Deem us worthy to find grace in Your sight, that our sacrifice may be well pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your grace may rest upon us and upon these gifts presented and upon all Your people.
PRIEST (aloud)
Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating 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 love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess:
CHOIR
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided.
DEACON
The doors! The doors! In wisdom, let us be attentive!
PEOPLE
The Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Let us stand aright! Let us stand in awe! Let us be attentive, that we may present the Holy Offering in peace.
CHOIR
A mercy of peace, a sacrifice of praise.
PRIEST
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
PRIEST
Let us lift up our hearts.
CHOIR
We lift them up to the Lord.
PRIEST
Let us give thanks to the Lord.
CHOIR
It is proper and right.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
It is proper and right to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in every place of Your dominion. For You, O God, are ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, existing forever, forever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of nothing into being, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again. You left nothing undone until you had led us up to heaven and granted us Your kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit: for all things we know and do not know, for blessings manifest and hidden that have been bestowed on us. We thank You also for this Liturgy, which You have deigned to receive from our hands, even though thousands of archangels and tens of thousands of angels stand around You, the Cherubim and Seraphim, six-winged, many eyed, soaring aloft upon their wings,
PRIEST (aloud)
Singing the triumphal hymn, exclaiming, proclaiming, and saying…
CHOIR
Holy, holy, holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Together with these blessed powers, benevolent Master, we also exclaim and say: Holy are You and most holy, You and Your only‐begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. Holy are You and most holy, and sublime is Your glory. You so loved Your world that You gave Your only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. When He had come and fulfilled for our sake the entire plan of salvation, on the night in which He was delivered up, or rather when He delivered Himself up for the life of the world, He took bread in His holy, pure, and blameless hands, and, giving thanks and blessing, He hallowed and broke it, and gave it to His holy disciples and apostles, saying:
PRIEST (aloud)
Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And likewise the cup after supper, saying:
PRIEST (aloud)
Drink of it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and everything that was done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the ascent into the heavens, the seating at the right hand, and the glorious coming again,
PRIEST (aloud)
Your own of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.
CHOIR
We praise You. We bless You. We give thanks to You, O Lord; and we pray to You, our God.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we beseech and pray and entreat You: Send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon the gifts here presented,
DEACON (in a low voice)
Bless, Master, the Holy Bread.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And make this Bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen.
Bless, Master, the holy Cup.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
And that which is in this Cup, the precious Blood of Your Christ.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen.
Bless, Master, both the Holy Gifts.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
So that they may be for those who partake of them for vigilance of soul, remission of sins, communion of Your Holy Spirit, fullness of the kingdom of Heaven, boldness before You, not for judgment or condemnation. Again, we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have reposed in the faith: forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics, and for every righteous spirit made perfect in faith,
PRIEST (aloud)
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
CHOIR
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.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
For Saint John the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist; for the holy, glorious, and most praiseworthy apostles; for Saint(s) (name), whose memory we celebrate; and for all Your saints, through whose supplications, visit us, O God. And remember all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to life eternal (here the Priest commemorates by name those departed whom he wishes). Grant them rest, where the light of Your countenance keeps watch. Again we beseech You, Lord, remember all Orthodox bishops who rightly teach the word of Your truth, the presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and every priestly order. Again we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world, for the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and for those living pure and reverent lives. For civil authorities and our armed forces, grant that they may govern in peace, Lord, so that in their tranquility we, too, may live calm and serene lives, in all piety and virtue.
PRIEST (aloud)
Among the first remember, Lord, our Archbishop (name); grant him to Your holy churches in peace, safety, honor, and health, unto length of days, rightly teaching the word of Your truth.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
And remember those whom each one of us has in mind, and all the people.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Remember, Lord, Your Holy Great Church of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Holy Metropolis], this city in which we live, and every city and land, and the faithful who live in them. Remember, Lord, those who travel by land, sea, and air; the sick; the suffering; the captives; and their salvation. Remember those who bear fruit and do good works in Your holy churches and those who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send forth Your mercies.
PRIEST (aloud)
And grant that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise Your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
And the mercies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Having commemorated all the saints, again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the precious Gifts here presented and consecrated, let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That our benevolent God, having accepted them at His holy and celestial and mystical altar as an offering of spiritual fragrance, may in return send down upon us the divine grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
(The rest of this litany, which was previously said above, is nowadays usually and correctly omitted.)
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
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
Having asked for the unity of the faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
We entrust to You, benevolent Master, our whole life and hope, and we beseech, pray, and implore You: Grant us to partake of Your heavenly and awesome sacraments from this sacred and spiritual table with a clear conscience for the remission of sins, the forgiveness of transgressions, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the kingdom of Heaven, and boldness before You, not unto judgment or condemnation.
PRIEST (aloud)
And grant us, Master, with boldness and without condemnation, to dare call You, the heavenly God, Father, and to say:
PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
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)
We give thanks to You, invisible King, who by Your boundless power fashioned the universe, and in the multitude of Your mercy brought all things from nothing into being. Look down from heaven, O Master, upon those who have bowed their heads before You, for they have not bowed before flesh and blood, but before You, the awesome God. Therefore, O Master, make smooth and beneficial for us all, whatever lies ahead, according to the need of each: Sail with those who sail, travel with those who travel, heal the sick, Physician of our souls and bodies.
PRIEST (aloud)
Through the grace, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Hearken, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Your holy dwelling place and from the throne of glory of Your kingdom, and come to sanctify us, You who are enthroned with the Father on high and are present among us invisibly here. And with Your mighty hand, grant Communion of Your most pure Body and precious Blood to us, and through us to all the people.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
PRIEST
The Holy Gifts for the holy people of God.
CHOIR
One is Holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PEOPLE
The selection and text of the following prayers may be different from what is used in your parish.
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy, without condemnation, to partake of Your pure sacrament for the remission of sins and for eternal life. Amen.
As I am about to receive holy communion, * O Maker, I pray You not burn me partaking, * since You are fire consuming the unworthy, * but rather purge me of any defilement.
Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.
Seeing the deifying Blood, O human, shudder, * for it is a live coal that burns the unworthy. * The Body of God both deifies my spirit * and feeds my mind in extraordinary manner.
You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly.
How shall I enter into the splendor of Your saints since I am unworthy? For if I dare to enter the wedding hall along with them, my garment will betray me, for it is not fit for the wedding; and then I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels. I pray You to wash away the stains on my soul, and save me, O benevolent Lord.
Benevolent Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my judgment because I am unworthy, but rather for the purification and sanctification of both soul and body and the pledge of the life and kingdom to come. It is good for me to cleave unto God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.
Receive me, today, O Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But like the Robber I confess to You. Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.
CHOIR
Communion Hymn. Psalm 32.
Rejoice greatly in the Lord, O righteous ones; praise is fitting for the upright. Alleluia.
DEACON
With the fear of God, faith, and love, draw near.
The people come up to receive Holy Communion. The Priest receives the holy chalice from the hands of the Deacon and begins communing the people, saying to each one: The Body and Blood of Christ, for the remission of sins and life eternal.
PRIEST
Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance.
CHOIR
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.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Exalt, Master.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. (3)
Blessed is our God.
PRIEST (aloud)
Always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
DEACON
Arise! Having partaken of the divine, holy, pure, immortal, heavenly, life-creating, and awesome Mysteries of Christ, let us worthily give thanks 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
Having prayed for a perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless day, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
We give thanks to You, benevolent Master, benefactor of our souls, that even on this very day You have made us worthy of Your heavenly and immortal sacraments. Make straight our path, fortify us in Your fear, guard our life, make secure our steps, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your saints.
PRIEST (aloud)
For You are our sanctification, 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
Let us go forth in peace.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
O Lord, who blesses those who bless You and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to our civic leaders, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights. To You we offer up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and to the ages. (3)
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Christ our God, You are the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. You have fulfilled the Father’s entire plan of salvation. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Memorial Service
CHOIR
Evlogetaria for the Dead
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
The choir of Saints has found the fountain of life and the door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance. I am the lost sheep: O Savior, call me back and save me.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
Of old, You created me from nothing and honored me with Your divine image. But when I disobeyed Your commandment, You returned me to the earth from which I was taken. Lead me back again to Your likeness, so that the ancient beauty may be refashioned.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
I am an image of Your ineffable glory, though I bear the scars of my transgressions. Take pity on me, the work of Your hands, Master, and cleanse me by Your compassion. Grant me the desired homeland for which I long, making me again a citizen of Paradise.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments.
Give rest, O God, to Your servant(s), and place him (her, them) in Paradise where the choirs of the Saints and the righteous, O Lord, will shine as the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant(s) give rest, O Lord, overlooking all his (her, their) offenses.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let us devoutly praise the threefold radiance of the one God as we sing: Holy are You, the Father without beginning, the co-eternal Son, and the divine Spirit. Illumine us who worship You in faith and deliver us from the eternal fire.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, gracious Lady, who gave birth to God in the flesh for the salvation of all, and through whom the human race has found salvation. Through you, pure and blessed Theotokos, may we find Paradise.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.
Kontakion. Mode pl. 4.
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul(s) of Your servant(s) where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
Among the spirits of the righteous perfected in faith, give rest, O Savior, to the soul(s) of Your servant, keeping it (them) in the blessed life which is from You, O loving One.
In your place of rest, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant, for You alone are immortal.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
You are our God who descended into Hades and loosened the pains of those who were held captive. Grant rest also, O Savior, to the soul of Your servant.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
You the only pure and spotless Virgin, who ineffably gave birth to God, intercede for mercy and forgiveness of the soul of your servant(s).
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 the repose of the soul of the departed servant of God (name), who has fallen asleep, and for the forgiveness of all his (her) sins, voluntary and involuntary.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
May the Lord God place their souls where the righteous repose. Let us ask for the mercies of God, the kingdom of Heaven, and the forgiveness of their sins from Christ our immortal king and God.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
O God of spirits and of all flesh, You trampled upon death and abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world. Give rest to the soul(s) of Your departed servant(s) (name) in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. As good and benevolent God, forgive every sin he (she, they) has (have) committed in word, deed, or thought, for there is no one who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your departed servant(s) (name), Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory, and to 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.
PRIEST
Eternal be your memory, brother worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory. (3)
CHOIR
Mode 3.
Eternal be his memory. Eternal be his memory. Eternal be his memory. (3)
DEACON
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.
PRIEST
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
May He who rose from the dead, 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.
CHOIR
Lord, protect for many years the one who blesses and sanctifies us.
PRIEST
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Amen.
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.
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.
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 of Constantinople, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Holy 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 4.
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.
Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord.
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.
Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.
The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
For the Saint.
Mode 4. To a brave one.
To the melody, “As one valiant among the Martyrs.”
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.
As an athlete most resolute, as a soldier invincible, * so the Holy Spirit has shown you forth to be. * For by the wisdom and knowledge of your words and persistence in * deeds of virtue, you put down * and defeated the enemy. Therefore you received * crowns and medals for victory, and now you join the host of saints in heaven, * glorious Martyr, St. Theodore.
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.
As an athlete most resolute, as a soldier invincible, * so the Holy Spirit has shown you forth to be. * For by the wisdom and knowledge of your words and persistence in * deeds of virtue, you put down * and defeated the enemy. Therefore you received * crowns and medals for victory, and now you join the host of saints in heaven, * glorious Martyr, St. Theodore.
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
You were beaten with iron rods and your body was pierced with spikes * and your eyes were plucked out, your sides were scraped and burned. * Enduring tortures of every kind, you suffered great agony, * and suspended on a cross, * you remained undefeatable and you kept the faith, * by the power of Christ who was suspended on the Cross for our salvation, * glorious Martyr St. Theodore.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.
You were beaten with iron rods and your body was pierced with spikes * and your eyes were plucked out, your sides were scraped and burned. * Enduring tortures of every kind, you suffered great agony, * and suspended on a cross, * you remained undefeatable and you kept the faith, * by the power of Christ who was suspended on the Cross for our salvation, * glorious Martyr St. Theodore.
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.
O all-blessed Saint, you became like a statue of godliness, * scorning soulless statues and pagan monuments. * As an acceptable offering and unblemished sacrifice * you were offered to the Lord, * who for you had been sacrificed. He gave you to us * in the world as a treasure house of miracles and glorified your holy * memory, Great Martyr Theodore.
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
O all-blessed Saint, you became like a statue of godliness, * scorning soulless statues and pagan monuments. * As an acceptable offering and unblemished sacrifice * you were offered to the Lord, * who for you had been sacrificed. He gave you to us * in the world as a treasure house of miracles and glorified your holy * memory, Great Martyr Theodore.
Mode pl. 4.
You entered the arena of martyrdom in a challenge against pagan deceit, and you competed valiantly, O Theodore. With searing words, you humiliated the inhumanity of Licinius. And now, as you celebrate with Angels, O blessed Saint, pray to Christ our God, that He be gracious to us on Judgment Day.
Mode pl. 4.
Lady, receive the supplications of your servants, and rescue us from all necessity and affliction.
(No Entrance)
Stand for the hymn.
READER
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.
DEACON
The evening Prokeimenon!
CHOIR
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 4.
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. (2)
Verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.
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.
CHOIR: Amen.
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
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 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.
Aposticha.
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
To the melody, “Rejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”
Rejoice, O holy soldier of Christ! * You roundly routed the front line of the enemy, * the true faith being your armor, supporting those who believe. * With the many tortures that you underwent, * you purchased the heavenly kingdom of God, O St. Theodore. * As you rejoice there, having truly been deified * by participation, and glowing with gifts of grace, * pray for us and remember us * who honor your glorious * commemoration and reverence the reliquary that holds your bones, * which now is a source of * health and vigor and great mercy to those who ask with faith.
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
Rejoice! O sacred head, we salute * the holy firstfruits of victorious Martyrs Saints. * The foe was by you defeated. The Church by you is adorned. * You were aptly named for gifts that come from God. * With miracles, you give light to the earth like a shining lamp. * You, like a pillar that is great, were unshaken by * countless painful tortures the you were submitted to. * You killed the dragon with your great * endurance as with a sword, * and you excelled as a soldier, for you remained undefeatable. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to our souls.
Verse: To the saints on His earth, in them the Lord magnified all His will.
Armed with the holy life-bearing Cross, * you smashed the idols of the pagans and scattered them. * And therefore you were subjected to whipping, stretched on the rack. * You were mutilated, beaten to a pulp. * They torched you, all-blessed one. They impaled you with sharpened stakes. * They crucified you, and you bravely endured it all. * And they blinded you, when by force they plucked out your eyes. * Therefore we call you blessed now, * for you have competed well * and were awarded the medals and crowns from heaven, O Theodore. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to our souls.
Mode pl. 4.
Faithful, let us fittingly bless the great and noble martyr Theodore, ⁄ for he is the namesake of the gifts of God ⁄ and the heir of His blessedness; ⁄⁄ the champion of the world who prays to God for us!
Mode pl. 4.
All in heaven sing your praises, O unwedded Mother who are full of grace. And we also glorify you and your incomprehensible childbirth. O Theotokos, intercede for the salvation of our souls.
Stand for the reading of prayers
PRIEST
Song of Simeon
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.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
To the melody, “You who were lifted on the Cross voluntarily.”
O medal-winner, you were duly enlisted * and highly decorated as a commander, * O Theodore, in service to the heavenly King. * Armed with faith, you prudently went to war and combated, * and you vanquished utterly the arrays of the demons. * O Martyr Athlete, evermore with faith * we count you blessed, for you were victorious.
Mode 4.
To you who were raised in the Temple, in the Holy of Holies, and who were clothed in faith and wisdom and measureless virginity, the Supreme Commander Gabriel from heaven brought the salutation, “Rejoice”; “Rejoice, O blessed Maiden! Rejoice, O glorified one! The Lord is with you.”
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: Master 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 of Constantinople, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Holy Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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 and glorious Great-martyr Theodore the General, the transfer of whose holy Relic we celebrate, 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.