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Menaion - January 3

Forefeast of Epiphany; and Memory of the Holy Prophet Malachi, and the Holy Martyr Gordios.

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

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.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

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. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to 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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred 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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, 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. )

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode pl. 4.

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. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

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

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

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

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

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Prophet.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.

Κύριε, εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Lord, I have designated Your holy Prophet * to intercede and to pray for me. * As You are compassionate, hear him * when he prays and intercedes for me, * that You forgive all the sins * committed by my sorry soul, * for Your benevolence is natural * and essential, tender-loving God. [SD]

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

As I see that the words of your God-inspired * tongue have assuredly come to pass, * I admire you, holy Prophet * of the truth, and call you blessed now. * For with your sonorous voice, * you echoed them throughout the world, * and prophesied and foretold the advent * of the Lord who came to save our souls. [SD]

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

By your life, imitating that of the angels, * you were an angel upon the earth; * and your name in Hebrew means angel, * an appellation most appropriate. * And apropos of your soul, * you made it so its beauty would * agree with that of your body, * O all-blessed Prophet Malachi. [SD]

For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

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

Medal-winning Martyr St. Gordios, * when you beheld that the mist * of deception had reached its height, * you fled far away and lodged * in the wilderness, waiting for God. * With many labors you disciplined yourself; * with prayer and fasting you trained yourself as well. * Once you perceived yourself * ready and empowered, you went forth and faced * your opponent as a fighter voluntarily. [SD]

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

Martyr, with great confidence you went * into the crowd of your foes, * O all-lauded St. Gordios, * disregarding the event * being held in the stadium. * Standing among those unlawful men, you raised * your voice, and thus uninvited you proclaimed * Christ the Maker and Lord, * coeternal, unoriginate, and one * with the Father and the Spirit in both honor and throne. [SD]

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

When your head was cut off by a sword, * you were translated indeed * from this mortal corrupted life * to immortal, incorrupt, * everlasting and heavenly life. * You did not wait for a natural death to come, * preferring rather to die of your own will. * O Martyr Gordios, * how amazing were your contests, by which you * magnified our Savior Christ, the only merciful One. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Most strange wonder! ⁄ He who baptizes by the Holy Spirit and by fire ⁄ comes to be baptized by John in the Jordan. ⁄ God is stripped naked as a Man: ⁄ In both His natures, He is one only-begotten Son. ⁄ In His humanity, He asks a servant to baptize Him; ⁄ in His divinity, He takes away the sins of the world ⁄⁄ granting great mercy to all. [OCA]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode 1.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.

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. [HC]

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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. )

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( 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

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (O Christ, as it is written.)

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

Behold, the light of the faithful, ⁄ see, our Atonement descends into the river’s streams ⁄ that He may wash away man’s filth and corruption, ⁄⁄ refashioning us, who had been broken to pieces. [OCA]

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

Lord, Your Forerunner cried out in fear ⁄ when he saw You coming to demand baptism: ⁄ My God! My Creator! ⁄⁄ How can I baptize You, sinless One! [OCA]

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

Faithful, let us assemble in spirit, ⁄ at the streams of Jordan, ⁄ that we may behold a great and mighty wonder! ⁄ We shall see the Creator of all made manifest, ⁄⁄ as He comes to be baptized. [OCA]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Christ our God comes to the river Jordan. ⁄ He will be baptized, wishing to cleanse us from our sins. ⁄⁄ He is made manifest as the only good Lover of mankind. [OCA]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon.

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

CHOIR

Canon for the Forefeast.

Three-ode Canon.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

You strengthened me on the rock of faith, O Savior. * You made me smile at my enemies and deride them. * My spirit is rejoicing, as I am singing, * “No one is holy like our God, * and no one is righteous but You, O Lord.” (2) [SD]

Glory.

Vain is Herod’s intent! ⁄ He lawlessly murders the infants, ⁄ but they have attained freedom, ⁄ joined by their blood to Christ our Redeemer, ⁄ Who grants those who share His baptism ⁄ a life which cannot be destroyed. [OCA]

Both now.

The fearful counsel of Herod ⁄ slaughters the infants before their youth, ⁄ and Bethlehem is filled with blood. ⁄ But now Christ comes to His Church! ⁄ He adopts all her children through baptism! [OCA]

Another Three-ode Canon.

Ode v. Mode pl. 2. N/M (Early in the morning.)

Early in the morning, I rise to You, who emptied yourself without changing and willingly were baptized at Your servant’s hand, for the sake of fallen Adam, in Your tender mercy, O Logos of God. Grant me Your peace, O benevolent Lord. (2) [GOASD]

Glory.

Come, all believers, let us first cleanse and purify our minds and hearts; then, participating in the awesome plan for our salvation, let us meet Christ as He comes to the River Jordan to purify us. [GOASD]

Both now.

O friends, now you see him, the voice of the Logos, the lamp of the Sun, the friend of the Bridegroom, as he cries out to the people, “Repent, and hasten to be purified before meeting the Creator.” [GOASD]

Ode viii.

Canon 1.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

When the decree of the tyrant prevailed of old, * the fiery furnace was heated to sevenfold strength. * The three Servants did not burn therein, * when they defied the king’s pronouncement; * but they cried out and sang, “All you works of the Lord, sing a hymn to the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let streams of tears exhaust our eyes! ⁄ Let us cleanse the filth of our souls, O believers! ⁄ We shall see Christ, the Light from the three-fold Light ⁄ coming to be baptized. ⁄ The Father will bear witness from heaven, ⁄ and the Holy Spirit will come in the form of a shining dove. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Christ wipes away the tears from every face. ⁄ He comes to heal the diseases of souls. ⁄ He frees us from affliction in the waters. ⁄ He creates defeated man anew. ⁄ We sing and exalt Him throughout all ages! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The sacred rite of Baptism, ⁄ of God-given water and the fire of the Spirit ⁄ cleanses passions from the soul, ⁄ burns up every evil deed ⁄ and bestows grace to hearts pierced by repentance, ⁄ who exalt You, O Christ, unto all ages. [OCA]

Canon 2.

Mode pl. 2. N/M (O believers, having ridiculed.)

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O believers, let us shake off the sleep of wickedness from the eyelids of our souls, and let us remove the evils from our hearts, and with ardent tears let us wash our minds, that we may be seen as viewers of Him who has appeared, and glorify Christ unto the ages. [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us not quote unholy writings with their profane ideas, but only study the word of God, and with sacred hymns approach the Word, who for us appeared in flesh and enlightens those in darkness. All creation blesses Him and glorifies Him unto the ages. [GOASD]

Glory.

To mortals now appears the hidden mystery of profound wisdom, to believers now is revealed the ocean of God’s judgements, since God appeared physically on earth, to refashion the human race. All creation blessed Him and glorifies Him unto the ages. [GOASD]

Both now.

The Master said to His servant, “John, you refuse to baptize me, but you will do it now out of obedience. Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” All creation blessed Him and glorifies Him unto the ages. [GOASD]

Heirmos.

O believers, having ridiculed the monument of Herod’s wickedness, let us proceed to the Jordan, to see Christ our Redeemer physically baptized by the Forerunner in the river. All creation blesses Him and glorifies Him unto the ages.

Ode ix.

Canon 1.

Mode 2. Heirmos.

With souls that are pure, let us open unpolluted lips, * and come, let us magnify the all-immaculate * and most pure, all-holy Mother of Emmanuel, * as through her we offer up * intercession to Him, the Son she bore. * “Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us, we pray.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let no one in ignorance be ungrateful to Christ! ⁄ Let no one insult His kindness and long-suffering, ⁄ but serve Him in fear and joy, singing to Him: ⁄ Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Proclaim to the faithless people, Forerunner: ⁄ Generation of vipers, who told you to flee the wrath to come? ⁄ Bear the fruits of repentance! ⁄ Show yourselves worthy to cry: ⁄ Spare our souls, O Christ our God, and save us! [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Blind and shameless ignorance! ⁄ Strangers worship Christ as Redeemer, ⁄ honoring Him with gifts, ⁄ but His own household seeks to kill Him! ⁄ Spare our souls from this madness, ⁄ and save us, O Christ our God! [OCA]

Canon 2.

Mode pl. 2. N/M (Greater in honor.)

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

In order to remedy Adam’s ruinous fall, new Adam has now appeared; and He is wondrously granting the freedom of regeneration through Baptism. [GOASD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, and also to fulfil all righteousness, the Savior of all is now permits His servant to lay his hand on His head, as He snatches humanity from servitude to the foe. [GOASD]

Glory.

For the Gentiles a great light has shone. For those in darkness divine sunlight has emerged. Christ the Sun of glory has dawned for those who were sitting in the shadow of death. [GOASD]

Both now.

The armies of Angels surrounded the Redeemer as He was being baptized in the Jordan. With trembling they extolled the great mystery of His ineffable condescension. [GOASD]

Heirmos.

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]

PEOPLE

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. )

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. )

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.

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

( Amen. )