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Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Wednesday Morning

Menaion - August 2

Memory of the Transfer of the Relic of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Stephen, a crown of royalty was laid on your head * for contests you courageously endured for Christ our God, * as first among Martyr saints. * You refuted the ravings of the Jews who accused you, * and you saw your Savior at the right hand of the Father. * We pray that you will ever entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Mother of Christ our God, all-blameless Virgin most pure, * as Symeon told, a sword pierced through your all-holy soul * when you saw your Son and God * crucified by transgressors of His own will, O Lady. * Cease not to importune Him, * that He grant the forgiveness * of failings to us your servants, * O only most-blessed one. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 10. It would be followed by the short litany.

DEACON

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

( 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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Octoechos - - -

For the Cross.

Grave Mode.

O Christ God, who for me endured being nailed to the Cross, accept my vigilant praise, in Your love for humanity. [SD]

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.

O Christ God, the commander of the bodiless hosts, You know the laziness of my soul. By Your Cross, save me, in Your love for humanity. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

O Virgin, as we are ever shielded by the Cross of your Son, we turn away from the assaults of demons. Therefore, we dutifully extol and glorify you, O all-lauded Theotokos. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 11. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For the Cross.

Grave Mode.

You made Your Cross, O Christ, brighter than any fire, ⁄ clearer than any flame. ⁄ It enlightens the hearts of men ⁄ and burns the sins of those in sickness, ⁄ as they sing the praises of Your voluntary crucifixion. ⁄⁄ O Christ our God: Glory to You. [OCA]

Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.

Worshiping You, O Christ our God, ⁄ the Church, with the cedar, pine and cypress, cries out to You: ⁄ At the prayers of the Theotokos, ⁄⁄ grant victory to those in authority and have mercy on us. [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Creation knew you to be a mother, but the Creator showed you be a virgin, when you physically gave birth to Christ God, the Savior of our souls. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Cross.

Grave Mode.

Ὁ διʼ ἐμὲ ἀνασχόμενος.

O Christ our God, for us You accepted painful crucifixion, accept us as we extol Your Passion and save us. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

Be glad, O you righteous; let the heavens sing for joy. For when the Martyrs competed, they trampled the enemy, and they brought down the deception of the idols. Let the Church leap for joy, as she celebrates the Judge of the contest, Christ our God, who alone confers victory, and who grants the world the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Christ our God was crucified for us, and He brought down the dominion of death. O Virgin Theotokos, unceasingly entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You are worthy of all praise, blessed Stephen, ⁄ you are the first grain planted in the earth by the divine Gardener, ⁄ the first to shed your blood for Christ, ⁄ the first to be crowned by Him in heaven with the crown of victory: ⁄⁄ You are the first to have suffered for Christ and to receive the martyr's reward! [OCA]

Oikos.

Looking at the flowers of Paradise, which fill the whole world with their delightful sweetness, I am astonished at the strange sight of them; for even in the freezing cold of winter, they blossom all the more, a thing unheard of for flowers. Such is Christ's Martyr, who blossomed first of all, and became a door to those who compete lawfully and flower in the cold of torments. He has shown the unerring path to those who desire to compete, he is the good leader of the race, who shone forth brightly in labors, the first crowned champion of the Martyrs. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 2, we commemorate the recovery of the Relic of Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr and Archdeacon.

On this day we also commemorate the finding of the relics of the holy Martyrs Maximus, Dadas, and Quintilian.

On this day we also commemorate the consecration of the holy Church of Saint John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist, near the most-holy Great Church.

On this day we commemorate the holy Martyr Phocas, and also the Emperor Justinian of pious memory, in the Church of the Holy Apostles.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Ἑπταπλασίως κάμινον.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

The tyrant king of Babylon * had the furnace made seven times * hotter for the godly men, for he was furious. * But after he witnessed how * a higher power rescued them, * he cried out and said, "You Servants, bless the Creator; * sing hymns to the Redeemer, O you priests; and you people * exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages." [SD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode pl. 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Ἐξέστη ἐπὶ τούτῳ.

The heavens were astounded because of this, * and the ends of the earth were astonished, because God himself * bodily appeared to the human race, * O Theotokos, coming forth * from your virgin womb, which indeed became * more spacious than the heavens. * And therefore by the orders * of men and angels you are magnified. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

PRIEST

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

( To You, O Lord. )

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

St. Stephen was the first one to be a Martyr; * he also was the first to become a Deacon, * for he was filled with grace, as it was written. * Behold, his relics were transferred * to the imperial City, * pouring out grace and miracles. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. With the disciples.

You truly carried Christ in your womb, O Virgin, * when from your precious blood He became incarnate. * The armies of heaven that stand around Him * do so with awe, for they cannot * endure to gaze at the brightness * of His ineffable essence. [SD]

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. [SAAS]

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

Show Stichologia

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.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Protomartyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

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

On earth like an angel, Protomartyr Stephen went up to You * in the heavens, where he beheld * divine glory, insofar as a man is able; * for initiated was he in mysteries of God, * the unapproachable Holy Trinity. * And henceforth he proclaims Your power, which is incomprehensible, * by which You, Jesus, saved our souls, as our Lord and almighty God. [SD]

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

On earth like an angel, Protomartyr Stephen went up to You * in the heavens, where he beheld * divine glory, insofar as a man is able; * for initiated was he in mysteries of God, * the unapproachable Holy Trinity. * And henceforth he proclaims Your power, which is incomprehensible, * by which You, Jesus, saved our souls, as our Lord and almighty God. [SD]

Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]

When your holy relics were transferred, O Stephen, all-glorious * Protomartyr, your beauty shone, * adorned as you were in rays of the cures and healing * that through you the Lord worked. * And by your miracles you gave * to all believers the cheer and joy of God. * We faithfully extol the Lord who loves humanity and we sing, * "Jesus Christ, you have saved our souls, as our Lord and almighty God." [SD]

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

Protomartyr Stephen, your all-holy tongue was the precious pen * of a swift-writing ready scribe, * recording the truth of God, teaching all the people, * who become enlightened. * You brought us back from errant ways, * and from our ignorance to the truth of God. * We hold the celebration of your sacred memory annually, * and we honor you and extol the events of your martyrdom. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Stephen, the fine first-fruit of the Martyrs, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. And he was stoned by those who broke the Law. But he shined like an angel, and he saw the glory of You who were incarnate for us and who were standing at the right hand of the Power; and by the Spirit of grace he was taken into heaven. He therefore dwells with the choirs of Angels, and he intercedes for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Both now. Theotokion.

Guard your servants from dangers of every kind, O blessed Theotokos, so that we may glorify you, the hope of our souls. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

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.

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.

PRIEST

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

Commemorating our most holy, pure, 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.

( To You, O Lord. )

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for mankind, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST (in a low voice)

O Holy Lord, Who dwell on high and look upon the humble, and Who with Your all-seeing eye do behold all creation: to You have we bowed the neck of our soul and body, and we implore You, O Holy of Holies, stretch forth Your invisible hand from Your holy dwelling place and bless us all. And if in any way we have sinned, either willingly or unwillingly, pardon us, inasmuch as You are good, and You love mankind, granting us Your good things in this age and in the age to come.

PRIEST

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Grave Mode. No longer are we barred.

Οὐκ ἔτι κωλυόμεθα.

O Life-giver and Lover of man, as Master * You have ransomed the entire world through Your crucifixion. * Glory to You, O Lord! [SD]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

Grave Mode. No longer are we barred.

Οὐκ ἔτι κωλυόμεθα.

When You were crucified of Your own volition * for the world, O merciful Savior, the sun was darkened. * Glory to You, O Lord! [SD]

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

Grave Mode. No longer are we barred.

Οὐκ ἔτι κωλυόμεθα.

Extolled in every land are the holy Martyrs. * They became the stars of the world, as to Christ they shouted, * "Glory to You, O Lord." [SD]

Glory. For the Protomartyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

O Protomartyr, Apostle and first Deacon, you are the gateway of Martyrs, the glory of the Righteous, and the pride and joy of the Apostles. When you stood trial, You saw the heavens opened and the Son of God standing at the right hand of the invisible Father. Your face shone like an Angel. And with joy you cried on behalf of those who were stoning you, "Do not hold this sin against them." So now, pray for us who lovingly sing your praises, that we may receive forgiveness of sins and great mercy. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Both now. Theotokion.

Now we call you blessed, O Virgin Theotokos, and we glorify you, duty-bound as believers; the city unshakable, the wall indestructible, the firm and steadfast protection, and the place of refuge for our souls. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever 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 to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever 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 Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

O Stephen, a crown of royalty was laid on your head * for contests you courageously endured for Christ our God, * as first among Martyr saints. * You refuted the ravings of the Jews who accused you, * and you saw your Savior at the right hand of the Father. * We pray that you will ever entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

We magnify you, O Theotokos, and cry out: You are the bush in which, without being burnt, Moses saw, as a flame, the fire of Divinity. [SD]

(The "ektenia" litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST

Wisdom.

( Father, bless! )

Blessed are You, Christ our God, always now and forever and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. )

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy Great Church of Christ, our holy Archdiocese, [this holy Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages..

( Amen. )

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: "Come let us worship…"

or:

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ 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 Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, the transfer of whose holy relic we celebrate, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and merciful and loves mankind.

Conclusion, i.e. "Through the prayers…"

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

( Amen. )