Books - Sources

Horologion

Apolytikia for Weekdays

Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Friday Morning

Menaion - August 4

Memory of the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion for the Day.

For the Cross.

From Horologion - - -

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1.

We have obtained your protection, O immaculate Lady, and by your earnest entreaties we are saved from calamities. In everything we are guarded by the Cross of your Son. We all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 19. 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 ever-virgin Theotokos, as your saw your Son hanging on the Cross, as a mother you lamented; but you magnified His terrific condescension, O immaculate Lady. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 20. 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.

O Christ, when You were crucified of Your own will, the Theotokos stood nearby and said, "Lord, Lord, no other woman has endured the pain I suffer now. From Your miracles, I know that You are God; and behold, I see You hanging dead on the Cross! Nevertheless, rise, as You said You would, on the third day, so that I may rejoice and shout to You: Glory to You!" [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Cross.

Grave Mode.

On the tree of the cross, you saved us from the ancient curse; ⁄⁄ save us also, O Lord, by healing the wounds of our hearts. [OCA]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

O Saints, we pray you to intercede for us, that we be granted forgiveness for our offenses, and that we be delivered form impending evils and from bitter death. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

O Virgin: you conceived without seed ⁄ the one whom you saw nailed to the cross. ⁄⁄ Ever pray to him that our souls may be saved. [OCA]

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

O God, You are wondrous in Your Saints on earth. Even prior to Your awesome Second Coming, O Christ, You showed the resurrection to those who were ignorant of it, by marvelously resurrecting the Seven Youths, whose bodies and clothing remained free of decay. And You convinced the Emperor to proclaim, "Truly there is resurrection of the dead!" [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 4, we commemorate the rising from sleep of the holy Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Exacustodian, Jamblichus, Martinian, Dionysius, John, and Constantine.

On this day we also commemorate the recovery of the relics of our devout mother Evdokia, the Martyr.

On this day, the holy Martyr Thathuel died when he was hanged from an apple tree.

On this day we also commemorate the holy woman Martyr Ia and those with her.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 2.

Τὸν ἐν καμίνῳ τοῦ πυρός.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

When God went down into the fire * of the furnace with the holy Hebrew Servants, * He converted the flames there into dew refreshing them. * Extol Him as Lord, O you works of His, * and 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 2.

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

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [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 2.

Ἡ τὸν πρὸ ἡλίου φωστῆρα.

Lady, from your virginal belly * you ineffably embodied God, * the luminary who arose before the sun, * and the One who came down to us * and dwelt among us bodily. * O blessed and all-holy one, * you, O Theotokos, do we magnify. [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 of the Day. For the Cross.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

O Cross, you are the guardian of the whole world. * O Cross, you are the height of the Church's beauty. * O Cross, you are what strengthened the Emperors. * O Cross, the believers' firm support. * O Cross, the glory of Angels * and the defeat of the demons. [SD]

For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Openly you professed your faith * in Christ as God and Savior * and Creator of all before * the emperor's tribunal, * O seven young men and Martyrs. * For many years you slumbered * in a cave by God's providence, * naturally dying; then supernaturally * you were resurrected as if from slumber; * and thus you stopped the mouths of all * heretics and their teachings. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Let us all honor Jamblichus, * and John and Maximilian, * renowned Exacoustodian, * Antoninus and Martin, as well as St. Dionysius, * singing their worthy praises. * And let us gaily celebrate * their illustrious feast, so that by their prayers * and the Theotokos' intercessions, * we be forgiven of our sins * from Christ our God and Savior. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord's name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord's name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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]

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.

We celebrate the memory of Your holy * medal-winning Martyrs, and thereby we extol You. * Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Grave Mode. Judas today is vigilant.

Σήμερον γρηγορεῖ ὁ Ἰούδας.

You endured crucifixion and slaughter * as a criminal, forbearing Lord, * so that by the tree of the Cross You, O Savior, * might lift us who by a tree of old had fallen. * As Your Virgin Mother saw You dead, she was perplexed and wept. * Suffering from shock, overcome with grief she sighed and cried, * "What unjust madness is this! * These lawless men have killed the Righteous One!" [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 for the Day.

For the Cross.

From Horologion - - -

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 1.

Immaculate Theotokos, who are blest in the heavens, and glorified on earth, rejoice, O unwedded Bride. [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, 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. )