GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Monday, Jul 6, 2026
Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll
Matins · Octoechos - Mode 4.
CHOIR
Mode 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.
Apolytikion for the Day.
For the Angels.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
To the melody, “You who were lifted on the Cross voluntarily.”
O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, * we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, * to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, * and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, * guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: * As the Commanders of the hosts on high, * rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind.
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 appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 4. Then the short litany.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Kathisma I.
For compunction.
Mode 4.
O Lord, visit my humble soul, which as spent the entire time of this life in sins. Accept me and save me, as You once did the harlot.
Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.
As I sail across the ocean of the present life, I remember the abyss of my many vices. Since I have no good thought to pilot me, I shout to you the words of Peter: Save me, O Christ my God. Save me, O benevolent Lord.
Awesome is the mystery, and paradoxical is the miracle: how the Virgin carried You, the Creator of all, and how after childbirth she remained whole and a virgin. We pray You, who were born of her, to confirm the Faith, calm the nations, and give peace to the world, O benevolent God.
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 5. There is no litany, but immediately the following:
Kathisma II.
For compunction.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
To the melody, “Come quickly.”
O brethren, let us quickly go into the bridal hall with Christ, * and let us all together hear the blessed voice of our God * addressing each one of us, * “Welcome, all you who truly love the heavenly glory, * come and enjoy the banquet with the wise and prudent Virgins.” * Our lamps will be shining brightly through our faith and works of charity.
Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me.
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
To the melody, “Joseph was amazed.”
Meditate on this, my soul, that we will stand before the Judge, * that intimidating thrones will be set up in that hour, * and that the actions of everyone will be examined. * The righteous Judge will be inexorable. * Before His judgment seat will flow a raging fire, * like a sea that is stormy and roaring, and that engulfs the impenitent. * So meditate on these concerns at all times, * O my soul, and mend your ways.
O Lady, the true and literal Theotokos, as a Mother you intercede with your Son and our God with confidence. Protect your flock, which runs especially to your shelter and takes refuge in you, the harbor, the fortress, the only protection of the human race
Kathisma III.
For compunction.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
To the melody, “Come quickly.”
The bodiless hosts that fearfully attend You, O Lord, * extol You unceasingly with immaterial mouths * and sing the thrice holy hymn, * O Trinity most divine, in nature one, three in persons. * Hear their supplications, and have mercy on creation, * the work of Your hands, only benevolent God.
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
For the Martyrs.
The hosts of the Angels are in attendance today, for the observance of the memory of the prize-winning martyrs, to illumine the minds of the faithful, and to brighten the civilized world with grace. O God, be importuned by them, and grant us Your great mercy.
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.”
READER
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.
Kontakion for the Day. For the Angels.
Mode 2.
As God’s Chief Commanders and ministers of His divine glory, guides of humanity and leaders of the Angels, pray for what will benefit us and for great mercy, as Chief Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On July 6 we commemorate our devout Father Sisoes the Great.
On this day we also commemorate the contest of the holy Martyr Lucia the Virgin, Rex the Vicar, and many others who suffered in Campania.
On this day the 24 martyrs who witnessed with Lucia and Rex died by the sword.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Astius, Bishop of Dyrrhachium.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Archippus, Philemon, and Onesimus.
On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Apollonius, Alexandrion, and Epimachus.
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.
Ἑπταπλασίως κάμινον.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode pl. 4.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
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.
Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.
Ἔφριξε πᾶσα ἀκοή.
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify.
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.
Exaposteilarion of the Day. For the Angels.
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
To the melody, “O women, hearken.”
We pray to you, O Archangels * and Angels, Principalities, * Authorities and Dominions, * and Thrones, and you the Cherubim * with many eyes, as well as you * the six-winged Seraphim, entreat * and intercede on our behalf, * that we be rescued from peril * and from everlasting hell fire.
Theotokion.
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
To the melody, “O women, hearken.”
O strong defender of the world * and mighty fortress, and my own * protectress, O Theotokos, * I come to you and cry out: * Relieve me from distress and pain, * and snatch me from eternal fire, * O all-immaculate Virgin, * for I implicitly trust you.
READER
Lauds. (read)
Psalm 148.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Psalm 149.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones.
Psalm 150.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Stand for the reading of the Doxology.
HIERARCH or READER
Doxology (read)
To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER: Amen.
HIERARCH or READER
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
DEACON
Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
CHOIR: Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST
Peace be with all.
CHOIR
And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR
To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.
PRIEST (aloud)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
Aposticha of the Octoechos.
Mode 4.
I am one of the sheep of Your rational flock, and I take refuge in You the Good Shepherd. Seek me who am wandering, O God, and have mercy on me.
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons.
Savior, wash me with my tears, for I have been soiled by many sins. Therefore I fall prostrate before You and implore: I have sinned; have mercy on me, O God.
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands.
Who is not amazed, O holy martyrs, seeing the good fight that you fought; how being armed with the Cross you confessed Christ, and thus defeated the bodiless enemy, though you yourselves were in body still. Therefore you have worthily been made the banishers of demons, and the opponents of foreign enemies, unceasingly interceding that our souls be saved.
Guard your servants from dangers of every kind, O blessed Theotokos, so that we may glorify you, the hope of our souls.
PRIEST
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night.
READER
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Apolytikion for the Day.
For the Angels.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
To the melody, “You who were lifted on the Cross voluntarily.”
O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, * we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, * to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, * and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, * guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: * As the Commanders of the hosts on high, * rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind.
Mode 4.
We are unequipped to praise you worthily, O Theotokos, for you are the highest of all things created. Therefore, we entreat you: As a gift to us, have mercy on us.
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
DEACON
Wisdom.
READER
Father, bless!
PRIEST
Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
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.
Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”
or:
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, 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.
Divine Liturgy · Apolytikia for Weekdays
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: It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 2: To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night.
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
Verse 3: The Lord my God is upright, and there is no wrongdoing in Him.
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: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power.
or:
Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 2: And He established the world, which shall not be moved.
or:
Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Verse 3: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.
or:
Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. 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.
Apolytikion for the Day.
For the Angels.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
To the melody, “You who were lifted on the Cross voluntarily.”
O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, * we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, * to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, * and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, * guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: * As the Commanders of the hosts on high, * rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind.
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, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
CHOIR
Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns after the Entrance.
CHOIR
Apolytikion for the Day.
For the Angels.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
To the melody, “You who were lifted on the Cross voluntarily.”
O Chief Commanders of the heavenly armies, * we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, * to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, * and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, * guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: * As the Commanders of the hosts on high, * rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind.
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung.
Then:
Kontakion for the Day. For the Angels.
Mode 2.
As God’s Chief Commanders and ministers of His divine glory, guides of humanity and leaders of the Angels, pray for what will benefit us and for great mercy, as Chief Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
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 the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly.
DEACON
Wisdom.
READER
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
DEACON
Let us be attentive.
READER
Rom. 16:17 – 24
Brethren, I appeal to you to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil; then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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. 13:10 – 23, 43
At that time, Jesus’ disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Hear then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
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 103.
He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. 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 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 · Octoechos - Mode 4.
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.
CHANTER
Your blessing, holy Master! Mode 1.
CHOIR
Mode 1.
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.
Stichera. For St. Thomas.
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
To the melody, “O joy of the ranks of heaven.”
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You.
You send out rays of divine light, and you illumine the world, * diminishing the darkness of the wicked confusion * engendered by the demons, for you are a bright * luminary revealed by God. * O blessed father, we faithfully now observe * your resplendent sacred memory.
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.
Formerly famous, enjoying both wealth and power, O Saint, * in later life, O father, you devoutly adopted * the great monastic habit, O Thomas, and thus * imitated the poverty * of Christ, who put on our flesh and who made you rich * in His grace and many spiritual gifts.
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
It was a pillar of fire by which the Lord led you * unto salvation, father, and a haven of stillness * and shelter of dispassion. O Saint, by your prayers * water gushed forth amazingly, * those who could not see were granted to see the light, * the disabled were enabled to walk.
For St. Kyriake.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
To the melody, “When from the Tree.”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.
Facing the tribunals, you proclaimed * Christ, who condescended of His own will to be crucified, * bravely, O victorious and holy Martyr of Christ. * Being shackled and suffering * all manner of torture, * joyfully you hastened up to the celestial courts, * there to join the ranks of the Martyrs * who from ages past were perfected, * and enjoy eternal glory evermore.
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.
You were shown to be a chosen bride * of the Word of God who appeared on the earth, O Kyriaki, * glowing with the beauty of your godly deeds as you were, * and the glorious radiance * of your divine contest. * Hence you have begun to dwell in the celestial hall. * Therein having joined in the chorus * as a Virgin Martyr forever, * remember us all commemorating you.
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.
From a noble root, Kyriaki, * you as a most beautiful branch sprang, bearing the saving fruit, * namely the endurance of your feats of martyrdom; * and the weeds of impiety, by grace, you made wither. * Hence with longing we revere your holy memory, * and we now caress your most sacred * reliquary, from it receiving * grace divine for healing of infirmities.
Mode pl. 2.
The virgin and victorious Martyr stood at the right hand of the Savior, and she was decked in the invincibility of virtue and adorned with the oil of purity and the blood of the contest. Holding her lamp, with exultant joy she shouts to Him, “I have run after You for the smell of Your ointments, O Christ God, for I am wounded with Your love. Do not leave me, O heavenly Bridegroom.” At her entreaties, O almighty Savior, send down to us Your mercies.
Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.
To the melody, “Rising on the third day.”
All-lauded Maid, we pray you bring down * the power of our murderous foes; * holy Virgin, * change our sorrow into joy, * and also grant us mercy, * so that being delivered * all we your people may sing praises to you.
(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 4.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
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 of the Octoechos.
Mode 4. Automelon.
Ἤθελον δάκρυσιν ἐξαλεῖψαι.
How I intended, O Lord, to cancel * with my tears the bond against me of my iniquities, * and through repentance so to be pleasing * unto You throughout the remainder of my life. * But then the enemy fools me * and on my soul wages warfare. * Save me before I utterly perish, O Lord my God.
Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us.
Who has been tossed by a storm and hastened * to this calm and quiet harbor whose life has not been saved? * Or who was afflicted with pain and illness * and ran unto this clinic whose health was not restored? * O Creator of all things * and Physician of the ailing, * save me before I utterly perish, O Lord my God.
Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant.
For the Martyrs.
O benevolent Lord, who have accepted the holy Martyrs’ endurance, do also from us accept this hymnody; and by their supplications, grant to us the great mercy.
Mode 2.
In the city of our God, in His holy mountain, that is where this holy woman made her dwelling, and she kept her lamp from going out. Hear the praise of this virgin: “Oh virginity, the temple of God! Oh Virginity, the glory of the Martyrs! Oh Virginity, the partner of Angels!”
Mode 2.
O Mother of Life, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter.
Stand for the reading of prayers
PRIEST
Song of Simeon
READER
Eis polla eti, Despota!
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Apolytikion. For St. Kyriake.
Mode 4.
Your maiden Martyr, like a lamb, cries out, “O Jesus, for You, * my pure Bridegroom, I long; and seeking You I compete; * and I am crucified and buried with You in Your baptism. * I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You. * I die for You that I may also live in You. * Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice * as I offer myself to You with love.” * At her entreaties and intercessions, * save our souls, O Merciful Lord.
Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.
To the melody, “Let us worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.”
You were seen as a holy auspicious sacrifice, * when you offered your Maker your pure and holy soul, * which was glorified by Christ, O unflinching soul. * Hence He pours out the gifts of grace more in number than the sand to the believers who praise you, * Kyriaki laurel-bearer, for He is merciful and benevolent.
Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.
I implore you to show forth your promptness to provide * your protection and help and your mercy unto me, * O pure Maid, and calm the waves of unruly thoughts, * and resurrect the fallen soul of me your servant, I entreat, * O all-holy Theotokos. * I know, I know, O Virgin, * that you can do whatever you wish.
(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.
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, of the holy and glorious Martyr Kyriake, whose memory we are observing; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR: Amen.