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Menaion - January 2

Forefeast of Epiphany, and Memory of our Father among the Saints Silvester, Pope of Rome.

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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. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. [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. )

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.

( To You, O Lord. )

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 Menaion - - -

Mode 1. N/M (The soldiers.)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Jesus, You bear my poverty. ⁄ You come Yourself to ask for Baptism by a servant, ⁄ mingling with us Your servants, Lover of mankind. ⁄ When John saw You, he cried out: ⁄ How shall I baptize You, most good God, ⁄⁄ for You are wholly free from our filth! [OCA]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 1. N/M (The soldiers.)

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

You are about to come to the streams of Jordan, O Christ; ⁄ in love accomplishing our refashioning in its waters. ⁄ Rejoice, holy Forerunner, for you behold upborne in the waters ⁄⁄ Him Who wishes to be baptized: the only Lover of mankind! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

He who is rich has become poor, in his boundless compassion, ⁄ desiring to make rich those who fell of old into corruption. ⁄ He comes to enter the streams of Jordan, ⁄ to be baptized by John and made manifest. ⁄⁄ Let us sing, believers, praising His condescension! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Today the voice of Isaiah is fulfilled, which said: ⁄ Prepare the way of the Lord! ⁄ Make straight His paths! ⁄ For the voice of John, the Lover of the desert, resounds as a trumpet ⁄⁄ calling us all together to behold a strange wonder! [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. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You appeared today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

To the flowing streams today * of River Jordan * comes the Lord and cries aloud * to John the Baptist, and He says, * “Be not afraid to baptize me now; * for I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man.” [SD]

Oikos.

I am not requiring you to cross the boundaries, O Baptist. I am not telling you, “Say to me the things you tell the lawless and exhort the sinners.” Simply baptize me in silence and anticipation of the blessings that from Baptism result, and whereby you will have the office that did not exist among the Angels. Indeed, I will make you greater than all the Prophets. None of them saw me clearly, but only in types and shadows and dreams; but you have me standing before you as I wish. For I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. In seeking the heights.

Your mouth being filled with wisdom that comes from God * you declared to us the knowledge of the Trinity. * O Silvester, you brought down the tyrants’ ungodliness, * with the sling of your God-inspired words * And now implore the Master on our behalf. [GOASD]

Oikos.

Endowed with the episcopal seat of the paramount Apostle Peter, you were a marvelous minister of God, beautifying, strengthening, and magnifying the Church with your divine doctrines. Radiating like a star, and shining with the light of virtue, you teach that the Trinity should be worshiped as one indivisible Godhead. And you banished the heresies of the enemies. And now implore the Master on our behalf. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 2, we commemorate our father among the saints Silvester, Pope of Rome.

On this day we commemorate the holy hieromartyr Theagenes.

On this day Saints Theopemptos and Theodota, the mother of the holy Unmercenaries, reposed in peace.

On this day devout St. Mark the Deaf reposed in peace.

On this day we also commemorate holy martyr Basil of Ancyra.

On this day Saint Sergios died by the sword.

On this day Saint Theopistos died by stoning.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father Cosmas, Archbishop of Constantinople, the Wonderworker, of the august Monastery of Chora.

We also commemorate the holy Neomartyr George Giourtze, who died by hanging in Mytilene in the year 1770.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Νικηταὶ τυράννου.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

By Your grace those Servants, * who adhered exceedingly to Your commandments, * once became the victors * over the tyrant * and the burning flame in the furnace and cried aloud: * Bless the Lord, O all you the works of the Lord, * and supremely exalt Him 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.

Κυρίως Θεοτόκον.

You are the Theotokos * lit’rally, O Virgin; * and we confess it, for we have been saved through you * whom we, O pure one, with choirs of angels 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. )

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.

( 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

Exaposteilaria.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. N/M (O Women, hearken.)

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

A voice is heard crying out: ⁄ Leap for joy, mountains! Dance, human race! ⁄ The Word of God, Who is before all ages, ⁄ Who as a Man assumed our flesh, ⁄ comes to be baptized by the hands which He created. ⁄ He destroys the sins of the world in the Jordan! [OCA]

Another.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

Amazing, how the river has received You in its streams, O Word, * who brought all the seas and rivers * to being from non-existence, * and also how the Forerunner has dared to lay his hand on Your * immaculate head, O Master! * Benevolent Lord, astounded, * we praise Your poverty’s grandeur. [GOASD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 2.

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

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. O angelic powers.

Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.

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

O angelic powers, proceed and go before us, * out of Bethlehem to the waters of the Jordan. * O John the Baptist, come forth, and for now leave the wilderness. You, O River, Joyfully make ready. O all the earth, be exultant. * For Christ is coming, * to wash away Adam’s sin, since He is compassionate. [SD]

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

Let our mouths be chaste and our souls be purified now, * as from Bethlehem we mystically are departing; * and to the Jordan River let us go with the Savior Christ. * Let us sing to Him with great rejoicing, * O all you tribes and families of earth, * and faithfully say, * Blessed are You, the One who came; glory to You, our God. [SD]

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

Awesome and sublime is the mystery we ponder: * namely, that our God has assumed our human likeness; * and He who is without guilt and is totally without sin * goes today unto the Jordan River, and being sinless is requesting * to be baptized by John. * Blessed are You who have appeared; glory to You, our God. [SD]

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

Risen from the Virgin like a flower from David, * Christ arrived today at the streams of the Jordan, * to wash away with water all the sins of the Forefather. * Adam, dance for joy; Eve be exultant; and sing for joy, O heavens; * all people, let us say, * Blessed are You, the One who came; glory to You, our God. [SD]

Glory. N/M (O angelic powers.)

When John perceived Whose head was bowed beneath his hand ⁄ his soul rejoiced but his fingers trembled as he touched You! ⁄ You took the form of a slave ⁄ in order to free us mortals from slavery to the enemy. ⁄ We cry to You: ⁄⁄ Blessed is He who comes, our God: Glory to You! [OCA]

Both now. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Rejoice in the mystery, ends of the earth! ⁄ Let the mountains leap for joy, as the prophets foretold! ⁄ Let Jordan turn back in her courses, as it is written: ⁄ Tremble before the face of the Master! ⁄ God has become man; ⁄⁄ He comes to cleanse us mortals from Adam’s sin! [OCA]

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. )

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.

( To You, O Lord. )

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to 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)

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

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 forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Aposticha. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Mode pl. 2.

The feast of Christ’s birth has passed. ⁄ It shone more brightly than the sun! ⁄ The day of His manifestation is on its way. ⁄ That day will be even more radiant. ⁄ There the shepherds gave glory with the angels, ⁄ worshipping God made man; ⁄ here John’s right hand will touch the Master, ⁄ as he cries out in fear: ⁄⁄ Sanctify both me and the waters, only merciful One! [OCA]

Idiomelon 2. Mode pl. 2.

Verse: Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan and Hermon. [SAAS]

Prepare, River Jordan! ⁄ Behold, Christ is coming to be baptized by John in You! ⁄ Rejoice, barren wilderness! ⁄ Dance in gladness, hills and mountains! ⁄ Eternal Life is coming to reclaim Adam. ⁄ Forerunner, call out with the voice of one who cries: ⁄⁄ Prepare the ways of the Lord! Make straight His paths! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3. Mode pl. 2.

Verse: The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and were afraid. [SAAS]

Desert of Jordan, rejoice exceedingly! ⁄ Blossom as the lily! ⁄ A voice is heard within you: ⁄ Prepare the way of the Lord! ⁄ He who weighs the mountains in scales ⁄ and the wooded valleys in a balance, ⁄ Who fills all things in His divinity, ⁄ approaches to be baptized by a servant. ⁄ The Giver of riches has become poor! ⁄ Eve was told in days of old: ⁄ You shall bring forth children in pain, ⁄ but now the Virgin hears: ⁄ Rejoice, full of grace! ⁄⁄ The Lord who has great mercy is with you! [OCA]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

O Baptist John, who recognized me as the Lamb when you were still in the womb: serve me now in the river, and with Angels minister. Reach out with your hand and touch my immaculate head. And when you see the mountains trembling and the Jordan turning back, cry out with them, “O God incarnate of the Virgin for our salvation, glory to You, O Lord.” [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 Thine 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. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. * Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive * the Master who is coming to be baptized. * Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. * No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; * for having seen you naked He has appeared * to clothe you in your former vesture. * The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew * the entire creation. [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 and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred 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, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

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. )