DCSC · Digital Chant Stand Companion
← 2026-11-07

GOA Digital Chant Stand Services for Saturday, Nov 7, 2026

Midnight Office → Matins → Divine Liturgy → Vespers, in one continuous scroll

Matins · Octoechos - Mode pl. 1.

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 Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4.

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.

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 16. Then the short litany.

DEACON

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Kathisma I.

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

To the melody, “Let us worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.”

All the hosts in the heavens were utterly amazed * by the feats and the contests the holy Martyrs won. * For by the power of the Cross, they competed very well; * they invisibly defeated the bodiless foe, * while in their own mortal bodies. * Now they intercede with the Master, * that He be merciful to our souls.

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

You have given us the miracles of Your holy Martyrs as an impregnable fortress, O Christ our God. At their entreaties, frustrate the plots of foreign enemies, and strengthen our nation, for You alone are good and benevolent.

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

Notation for your part

Lord, Your medal-winning martyrs longed to drink the cup of Your Passion. So they forsook the delights of this life, and they became partners with the Angels. At their supplications, grant to our souls forgiveness of sins and the great mercy.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

To the melody, “Let us worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.”

Hail, gate of the Lord, through which no man has passed! * Wall and shelter of all who rely on you, rejoice! * Port and haven undisturbed by any tempest, rejoice! * You gave birth to your Creator and God in the flesh, * ever remaining a virgin. * Never cease interceding for us who worship and extol your Son.

Notation for your part

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 17. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

Kathisma II.

For the Martyrs.

Mode pl. 1.

The medaled Martyrs’ commemoration is splendid today, for it is illumined with a heavenly light. The chorus of Angels is celebrating, and the human race is also observing the feast. And therefore they intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls.

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

For the Dead.

O Savior, let Your servants repose with the righteous, and let them dwell in Your courts, according to the Scriptures. Overlook their voluntary and involuntary offenses, every sin committed knowingly or unknowingly, benevolent 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 conceived and you carried the Savior of the world, * born in two perfect natures in one hypostasis, * O all-holy, ever-virgin Mother of God. * Pray to Him as do the Prophets, the Martyrs, and devout * monastic Saints, and implore Him * for lasting peace in the whole world, * and entreat Him to save our souls.

Notation for your part

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar.

Kontakion.

Mode 4. N/M (You who were lifted.)

The shining and glowing host of Martyrs has spiritually risen on us today like a sun, and the rays of their miracles fill the Church with light. So, as we celebrate their solemn memory, we pray to You, our Savior: At their entreaties, rescue us from danger, as our merciful and benevolent God.

Kontakion. For St. Lazarus.

Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Champion General.)

The Angels were amazed as they witnessed your supernatural labors and struggles, through which you received halos from God, O wise Saint. We pray you, since you speak to the Lord with confidence, to save us from all calamity, so that we may salute you and cry aloud: Rejoice, our Father and Pastor!

Oikos.

An Angel among men were you, O God-bearing Saint, and from earth you reached the heavens. And seeing how you vied with the bodiless hosts, O devout one, I am astounded and with awe I cry out to you such salutations:

Rejoice! Our Father and Pastor!

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On November 7, we commemorate the holy 33 Martyrs of Melitini, Hieron and the rest.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Lazaros the Wonderworker, who lived as an ascetic on Mount Galesion.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyrs Melasippus, Cassiani, and Anthony.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Auktos, Taurion, and Thessaloniki.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Athenodoros.

On this day, the holy Martyr Alexander from Thessaloniki died by the sword.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ἄκουε Κόρη.

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

HIERARCH (in place of the Right 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.

Notation for your part

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ὡς ἐμψύχῳ Θεοῦ κιβωτῷ.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

HIERARCH (in place of the Right Choir)

Exaposteilarion of the Day.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

To the melody, “O You who adorned the heaven with stars.”

O only God who reposes * in those alone who are holy, * attend to the intercessions * of Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, * and of the devout monastics, * and save us all who extol You.

Notation for your part

For the Martyrs.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

To the melody, “O women, hearken.”

The Church, which is unbreakable, * has you, O medaled Martyr saints, * as thirty-three living towers, * by which the world is protected, * as well as those who honor you * and keep your glowing memory. * Stand now near the throne of Christ, * for us you are interceding * with our all-merciful Savior.

For St. Lazarus.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

To the melody, “Let us join the Disciples.”

While you were in your mother’s womb, * the Maker sanctified you, * and He made you a dwelling place * of the all-holy Spirit. * Thus you became for monastics * a light, O godly father, * and from the darkness of their sins * guided them to the radiance of the laws * of the Lord, O Lazarus, and you brought them * to Christ. To Him pray earnestly * to save those who extol you.

Notation for your part

Theotokion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Daniel the Prophet saw you once, * O Maiden, as a mountain * from which without the hands of man * truly a stone was cut out, * and it reduced pagan altars * and the pillars of demons * to rubble, holy Bride of God. * Earnestly pray to Him, so that He will crush * the impassioned images in my own mind, * and in my heart noetically * establish His own image.

Notation for your part

CHANTER

Your blessing, holy Master! Mode 4.

CHOIR

Lauds. Mode 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.

Notation for your part

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God.

Notation for your part

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.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Stichera. For St. Lazarus.

Mode 4. When you were called.

Ὁ ἐξ ὑψίστου κληθείς.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.

Another Lazarus, equally beloved, * who, girt with the Master’s living and sweetly perfumed * mortification in his own flesh, and also wearing * the sacred garments that even now emit * the scent of his sweat and labors, is presented now * for us to praise and to celebrate, as with a banquet. * Come, and in unison let us honor him * who proved to be a faithful steward and * loyal servant of Christ our Lord and God, * O you host of monastics * and the choir of those who love the feasts.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

Another Lazarus, equally beloved, * who, girt with the Master’s living and sweetly perfumed * mortification in his own flesh, and also wearing * the sacred garments that even now emit * the scent of his sweat and labors, is presented now * for us to praise and to celebrate, as with a banquet. * Come, and in unison let us honor him * who proved to be a faithful steward and * loyal servant of Christ our Lord and God, * O you host of monastics * and the choir of those who love the feasts.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute.

Most sacred father, you lived atop the pillar * as though in a room that was completely filled with light. * And round about it you stationed your ascetic labors * even as armed guards, O venerable one, * blocking access to the passions as to regiments. * You forged ahead into the divine bright nuptial chamber, * O blessed man, and you stand beside our God * and your own Bridegroom now with confidence, * as you openly relish His handsomeness. * Therefore earnestly pray Him to illumine us and save our souls.

Notation for your part

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Sanctified even within his mother’s belly, * devout father Lazarus became for Christ a pure * victim and priest. In the Spirit now he has invited * all the believers to come and celebrate * his memory. Clearly he emits a fragrant scent. * So all together let us run to him and get the blessing * that flows abundantly from his worshipful * and holy relics, as we glorify * and adore Christ our God who is marvelous * in His saints, as the Most High * who is resting in His holy ones.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 2.

Devout Father, the proclamation of your achievements went forth into all the earth. For your labors you found the reward in heaven. You destroyed the arrays of demons, and you attained to the orders of the Angels, whose lifestyle you emulated blamelessly. Since you have confidence before Christ our God, ask Him to grant peace to our souls.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 2.

You are a turning for the better for those in trouble and deliverance of the sick, O Virgin Theotokos. Save your people and your flock, since you are the peace of the embattled, tranquil calm of those in agitation, and the believers’ only patronage.

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 pl. 1. Rejoice.

To the melody, “Rejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”

Settle the souls of those who have passed * where the resplendence of Your countenance shines on them, * to lie down in greenest pastures, O most compassionate Christ, * beside the still waters of divine delight. * And grant them to be at rest in the bosom of Abraham, * there where Your light is most especially visible, * and the fountains of Your benevolence overflow, * there where the choirs of the just continually celebrate, * ever extolling Your goodness, in exultation and songs of joy. * We pray You have mercy * on Your servants and You grant them to dwell with all Your saints.

Notation for your part

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

To the melody, “Rejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”

Grant to your departed to sing * your praise, O Lord, with a voice that is harmonious, * to give glory to your great might and mercy to those who are now * taking leave of their cares * and turning to you, * O Master and loving Lord, * as you give beauty and your light, * bestowing sweetness * and communion with divine joy. * Grant as well to them * as a loving God that they may * take rest and take enjoyment of your all-holy purity. * At your throne the angels and the saints attend you with songs of praise; * with them grant your servants * your great mercy and as well, O Lord, sweet rest eternal.

Notation for your part

Verse: Their souls shall dwell among good things.

To the melody, “Rejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”

Grant rest to those asleep now in faith, * where prophets’ choirs and ranks of martyrs and apostles * and all from the ages who have been made in you justified * in your saving passion and salvific blood, * through which you redeemed humanity from our captivity, * as many sins as we commit, you forgive them all; * loving God you are, and the friend of all humankind; * for you alone are without sin, the earth you have civilized, * you alone may we call holy and you alone are made free in death; * therefore grant your servants * your great mercy and as well, O Lord, sweet rest eternal.

Notation for your part

To the melody, “Rejoice, you who are truly God-inspired.”

Lady, when you conceived in your womb * the very Giver of the Law, namely Christ the King, * O only Mother and Virgin, you freed the human race * that had been in bondage to the law of sin. * Through Him we are justified by His free gift and grace divine. * Will you implore Him to inscribe in the book of life * those extolling you as the one who gave birth to God, * so that we who are saved through your entreaties, all-blameless one, * may thus obtain what we long for, namely redemption from Christ your Son, * whom we rightly worship * as the Savior who is granting great mercy to the world.

Notation for your part

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 Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls.

Notation for your part

Mode pl. 4.

By your prayers save us, O Virgin immaculate, stirring your maternal affections for your Son and our God.

(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, of our devout father Lazarus the Wonderworker, whose memory we observe, 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 · Memory of the Thirty-Three holy Martyrs in Melitene; and Memory of our Devout Father Lazarus the Wonderworker, who lived as an Ascetic on Mt. Galesion.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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 St. Lazarus.

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

CHOIR

Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Notation for your part

Hymns after the Entrance.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For St. Lazarus.

Mode pl. 4.

As you vigilantly prayed you drenched your pillar with rivers of your tears; and with your sighs from deep within, painstaking labors produced their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a pastor, giving forgiveness to all those who came to you, our devout father Lazarus. Intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls.

Notation for your part

For the Martyrs.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls.

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung.

Then:

Kontakion for the Day. For the Martyrs.

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)

Notation for your part

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

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

The Epistle

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

Verse: Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

DEACON

Wisdom.

READER

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

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

READER

2 Cor. 8:1 – 5

Brethren, we want you to know about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints — and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

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 Luke.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

Lk. 9:1 – 6

At that time, Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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. Psalms 64, 101.

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.

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.

Notation for your part

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Notation for your part

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Notation for your part

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, of our devout father Lazarus the Wonderworker, whose memory we observe, 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 pl. 2.

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 pl. 2.

CHOIR

Mode pl. 2.

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.

Notation for your part

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.

Resurrectional Stichera. Mode pl. 2.

Sticheron 1.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

Possessing mastery over Hades, O Christ, You were lifted on the Cross. You went to those sitting in the darkness of death, and You raised them with yourself, who were free among the dead, the fountain of life who shine Your light. O almighty Savior, have mercy on us.

Sticheron 2.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

After trampling death, Christ rose today, even as He said He would. He gave the world great joy. Now we all sing this hymn of praise, and we say to Him, “You are the fountain of life, the unapproachable light. O almighty Savior, have mercy on us.”

Notation for your part

Sticheron 3.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Where could we sinners flee from You, O Lord, who are present in all creation? Into heaven? But that is where You dwell. Into Hades? You trampled death there. Into the depths of the sea? Even there Your hand would hold us, O Master. To You we flee for refuge. Casting ourselves before You, we implore You, who rose from the dead: Have mercy on us.

Sticheron 4.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

We take pride in Your Cross, O Christ, and we extol and glorify Your resurrection. For You are our God; we know no other besides You.

Stichera. For Chief Commander Michael.

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 Commander-in-chief you stand by the Godhead and triple Sun, * O Archangel Michael, most brilliant minister. * And with the heavenly hosts on high * rejoicing you cry aloud: * You are holy, O Father; * You are holy, O equally unoriginate * Word; and holy are You, O Holy Spirit, single glory, rule and nature * and single Power and Divinity.

Notation for your part

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord.

Wholly fiery is your form * and your beauty is wonderful. * You are known to all as one mighty in your strength. * And in your bodiless nature you, O Archangel Michael, go * everywhere throughout the world, * executing the orders of * God who made all things. * And the church that was honored with your holy name you made into a well-spring * of cures and healings for everyone.

Notation for your part

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

You, O Lord, make Your messengers spirits, even as Scripture says, * and you make Your ministers be a fiery flame. * And You have made Michael who is Chief-commander to be supreme * in Your archangelic ranks. * He obediently submits unto Your commands. * And with fear does he cry out in a loud voice the thrice-holy hymn, O Master, * unto Your glory, O Word of God.

Notation for your part

For Chief Commander Gabriel.

Mode 4. You have given.

To the melody, “You have given a sign.”

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions.

Notation for your part

Gabriel, the pre-eternal Mind set you as a second light, * to illumine the whole wide world * through participation in the grace of the Godhead, * and also to make known to us the great and most divine * mystery which was from all eternity: * that He who had been bodiless assumed a body within the womb * of a Virgin and thus became * man to save all humanity.

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples.

Notation for your part

Standing as you do by the tri-solar Godhead’s supernal throne and illumined abundantly * by the divine splendor that * from it without ceasing * radiates, Archangel, * deliver from the passions’ gloom * those who on earth stand in chorus joyfully * extolling you, O Gabriel the Chief-commander. And brighten them * with divine lumination’s light, * and entreat that our souls be saved.

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

Shatter all the insolence that sons of Hagar continually * aim against us your humble flock. * Captain of the Bodiless, stop the Church’s schisms. * Calm the swelling ocean of the temptations that we have. * Also deliver us from calamity * and circumstances fraught with danger, for with longing we honor you, * who entreat on our souls’ behalf, as our refuge, O Gabriel.

Mode pl. 2.

Celebrate with us, all you orders of Angels. Your leader and our protector, that great Chief Commander, has hallowed this day, marvelously appearing in his sacred shrine. Therefore let us gratefully extol him and sing aloud to him, “Shelter us in the shelter of your wings, O grand Archangel Michael.”

Notation for your part

The First Theotokion of the Mode.

Who can not call you blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who can not extol your extraordinary childbirth? The Only-begotten Son, who timelessly shone forth from the Father, ineffably became incarnate and was born from you, O pure one. Being divine by nature, for us He became human by nature, not divided into two persons, but acknowledged in two natures without confusion. To Him pray fervently, O noble and all-blessed Lady, and implore Him to have mercy on our souls.

Notation for your part

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Master, bless the holy entrance.

PRIEST

Blessed be the entrance of Your holy ones always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

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.

Notation for your part

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse: The Lord clothed and girded Himself with power.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

The Readings

READER

The reading is from the book of Joshua.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Jos 5:13 – 15

Then it came to pass, when Joshua was at Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing before him with a sword drawn in his hand. So Joshua came near and said to him, “Are you for us or on the side of our adversaries?” He said to him, “I am now come, the chief captain of the host of the Lord.” Then Joshua fell on his face upon the earth and said to him, “O Master, what do you command your servant?” The chief captain of the Lord said to Joshua, “Loose the shoe from your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy.”

READER

The reading is from the book of Judges.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Jdg 6:2a, 6b, 11 – 24

It came to pass in that day that the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel, and the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree in Ephrathah which belonged to Joash the father of Esdri, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress in order to hide from the presence of the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, mighty one of the armies!” Gideon said to Him, “It is I, my Lord? If the Lord is with us, why then have these evils come upon us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has driven us out and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Then the Angel of the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with this strength of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Indeed, I have sent you.” And Gideon said to Him, “Be gracious with me, my Lord, for how can I save Israel? My thousand is weakened in Manasseh, and I am the smallest in my father’s house.” And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “The Lord will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” Then Gideon said to Him, “If now I have found mercy in Your sight, then You shall do everything for me today that You have told me. Do not leave here, I pray, until I come to You and I will bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I am. I will wait until you come back.” So Gideon went in and prepared a goat kid, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and approached. The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so. Then the Angel of the Lord stretched out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight. Now Gideon perceived this was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “O Lord, my Lord! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it the Peace of the Lord.

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Daniel.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Dan 10:1 – 21

In the third year of Cyrus king of the Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The word was true, and great power and understanding were given to him in the vision. In those days, I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no desirable food, and no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself, until three whole weeks were fulfilled. Then on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was beside the great river, that is, the Tigris. I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in fine linen; and his waist was girded with gold of Uphaz. His body was like beryl, and his face like the appearance of lightning. His eyes were like lamps of fire, and his arms and legs like the appearance of shining brass. The sound of his words was like the voice of a multitude. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men with me did not see the vision; but a great astonishment fell upon them, and they fled in fear. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, but no strength remained in me; for my splendor was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard him, I was deeply troubled with my face on the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me up on my knees. He said to me, “O Daniel, a man of desires, understand the words I speak to you and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” So when he spoke this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day you set your heart to understand and to afflict yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I came because of your words. But the prince of the Persian kingdom withstood me twenty-one days, and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; for I was left there with the ruler of the Persian kingdom. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision is for days yet to come.” When he had spoken these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was deeply troubled. Again suddenly, one having the likeness of a son of man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of your vision, my insides churned within me so I have no strength. For how can your servant, my lord, speak with my lord of this? As for me, no strength now remains in me, nor is any breath left in me.” Then again, the one like the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. He said to me, “O man of desires, peace be to you; be courageous and strong.” So when he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to the war against the ruler of the Persians, and I will go forth, and the ruler of the Greeks will come. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth – and there is no one loyal to me concerning this, except Michael your prince.”

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

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 pious and Orthodox Christians.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

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.

Resurrectional Aposticha.

Mode pl. 2.

Angels in the heavens extol Your Resurrection, O Christ our Savior. Count us worthy who are here on earth to glorify You with a pure heart.

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power.

Crushing the gates of bronze and smashing the bars in Hades, as God almighty, You resurrected the fallen human race. So now we sing Your praises and say: O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved.

Wishing to restore us from our primitive fall, Christ was nailed to a cross and laid in a tomb. The Myrrh-bearing Women were weeping as they looked for Him, and as they grieved they said, “Alas! O Savior of all! How is it possible? You consented to occupy a tomb, then from there You let yourself be stolen! How were You transported? Where is Your life-giving body hidden? O Master, as You promised, let us see You again, and bring an end to our tearful mourning.” As they were thus lamenting, an Angel said to them, “End your lamentation. Go and tell the Apostles that the Lord has risen, and He has granted to the world forgiveness and the great mercy.”

Notation for your part

Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days.

You were crucified, O Christ, as You willed, and You plundered death while You were buried. Then on the third day You rose as God in glory, and to the world You granted never-ending life and the great mercy.

Mode pl. 4.

As captain and champion and leader of the Angels, deliver from all necessity and tribulation, illness and grievous sins, those who sincerely extol and entreat you, O glorious Chief Commander, as one immaterial who manifestly beholds the Immaterial One, and who is splendidly illumined by the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory. He it is who with benevolence assumed flesh from the Virgin for our sake, wishing as He did to save the human race.

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.

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode pl. 2. Automelon.

To the melody, “The angelic powers were at Your tomb.”

When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, * the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. * And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. * Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. * Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. * O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

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.

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.

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 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, whose Synaxis we celebrate; 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.