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Menaion - January 4

Forefeast of Epiphany, and Synaxis in honor of the Holy Seventy Apostles, and Memory of our Devout Father Theoktistos.

__________

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 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 Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (You have given.)

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

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

Let us praise the apostles with sacred songs: ⁄ Cleopas, Andronicus, Ahab, Silvanus, ⁄ Ananias, Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor. ⁄ Rufus, Sosthenes, Linus, Stachius, ⁄ Stephen and Timon, Hermes, Philegontus, Mark and Luke, ⁄ Sosipater, Jason, and Philemon, ⁄⁄ Tichicus and Gaius! [OCA]

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

It is fitting to honor the apostles: ⁄ Narcissus, Trophemus, Caesar, Zebinus, Aristarchus, ⁄ Mark, Silas, Gaius, Hermes, Asincritus, ⁄ Apollos, Cephas, Clement and Justis, ⁄ Mathias, Erastus, Luke, Onicephorus, ⁄ Carpus and Evodus, Quartus and James, ⁄⁄ Urban, Aristobulus, Aristarchus and Tichicus! [OCA]

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

Let us honor the wonderful preachers of God: ⁄ Pudens, Herodion, and Artemus, ⁄ Philogus, Olympus and Rodion, ⁄ Appeles, Amplius, Patrophus, and Mark, ⁄ Tertius, and Thaddeus, ⁄ the wonderful Epenetus, ⁄ Achaicus, Aquila, Lucius, Barnabas, Fortunata, ⁄⁄ and the glorious Apollos and Crispus! [OCA]

For the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

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

When you sensed that you were pricked in soul * by the love of God, O all-blessed father, you took up your cross, * and with utmost joy you followed after Christ crucified. * Mortifying the mind set on the flesh through self-control, * you received the Holy Spirit’s living energy, * such that you could cure every illness, * by your well received intercessions, * Hence we all together call you blessed now. [SD]

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

Father, once you purified the sight * of your soul by means of unceasing * and constant prayers to the Lord, * and intensive fasting, you became a temple of God, * the tri-solar Divinity. And when you accepted * the divine holy anointing of the office of priest, * you entered the holy of holies * and offered the One who condescended * ineffably and offered himself for you. [SD]

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

Gentle, meek, and innocent were you, * and you had integrity, holy father Theoktistos. * Therefore you inherited truly the land of the meek. * In this life being deified by participation, * you enjoy the true delights and exultation and joy. * Now on high, cease not to remember * us who celebrate you with longing, * O Saint, and who honor your divine repose. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3.

The feast, which passed, was radiant, ⁄ but the one to come is even more glorious! ⁄ There the Magi worshipped the Savior; ⁄ here the servant baptizes the Master! ⁄ There the shepherds saw the Child and were amazed; ⁄⁄ here the voice of the Father proclaims the only-begotten Son! [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 pl. 1.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power.

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 2. N/M (O House of Ephratha.)

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

Candlestick of the Light, ⁄ ray of the Sun, ⁄ Forerunner of the Word, ⁄ friend of the Bridegroom, ⁄⁄ fulfill your ministry, O Prophet! [OCA]

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

Our illumination draws near; ⁄ our salvation is dawning! ⁄ Come, let us assemble ⁄ to be cleansed in Jordan, ⁄⁄ singing the hymns of the Prefeast! [OCA]

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

You assume, O God made Man, ⁄ all my nature ⁄ from the Theotokos. ⁄ Now you make me radiant ⁄⁄ in the Jordan. [OCA]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Christ, the truth, comes to the Jordan, ⁄ to be baptized by John, who says to Him: ⁄ It is I who need to be baptized by You; ⁄ why do You come to me? ⁄ I am only grass! I dare not touch the Fire! ⁄ Sanctify me, Master, ⁄⁄ by Your divine Theophany! [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.

Ode i. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

The Red Sea was cut by a rod that was cut, and the undulating deep went dry; the same became passable for those who were unarmed, and a tomb for those in full armor. The former sang an ode that was pleasing to God: “He is Christ our God, and He is greatly glorified.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The all-creating and sustaining Life, ⁄ the boundless Wisdom of God ⁄ has built a house for Himself ⁄ of the pure Mother who knew not man. ⁄ But now He comes to the streams of the Jordan, ⁄ asking to be baptized for the regeneration of mortal man. [OCA]

Glory.

The Wisdom of God summons all peoples. ⁄ He initiates them into the mysteries of light. ⁄ They lay in the dark shadows of ignorance; ⁄ now by the mystery of baptism they recognize the truth, ⁄ with hearts cleansed by the operation of the Spirit. [OCA]

Both now.

Let us hear the prophetic voice of the Spirit: ⁄ for Christ, who baptizes with the Spirit and fire, hastens to Jordan. ⁄ Let us advance with Him, and be filled with light, ⁄ that our faces may never again be ashamed. [OCA]

Ode iii. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos (not metered).

The Lord and Creator of all, ⁄ He who is the changeless God, ⁄ humbled Himself to unite creatures to Himself. ⁄ Revealing Himself in the streams He cries to all peoples: ⁄ Draw living waters and be confirmed in faith! (2) [OCA]

Glory.

You have come, O Savior, ⁄ to bestow the grace of baptism to our souls and bodies. ⁄ You have given us grace upon grace, ⁄ crying: Draw living waters and be confirmed in faith! [OCA]

Both now.

Foolish is the man who knows not God; ⁄ he pursues only corruption and wickedness. ⁄ He abandons all goodness and forsakes salvation. ⁄ But let us receive knowledge of Christ ⁄ that we may be delivered from this man’s destiny. [OCA]

Ode iv. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos (not metered).

The prophet foretold your wondrous mystery, O Christ: ⁄ You have established great grace in baptism, ⁄ for the sake of all who receive it in faith ⁄ for the remission of their sins. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

You hastened to be baptized; ⁄ becoming a fountain of forgiveness ⁄ for all who lay dead beneath their sins, ⁄ crushed under the evil burdens of life. ⁄ In compassion You have promised ⁄ to give rest to our souls. [OCA]

Glory.

Partaking of my flesh, O Savior, ⁄ You have given me divinity, ⁄ for You are the Father’s true Image, O Word. ⁄ Yet You bear the form of Your handiwork. ⁄ You have come as a man, though sinless, ⁄ in order to cleanse Your own likeness. [OCA]

Both now.

Water, Chrism, and Holy Spirit ⁄ are the marks of Your seal, O Savior: ⁄ and mystical graces, ⁄ gifts of love bestowed by God. ⁄ For the Father has sent You, the only-begotten Son ⁄ into the world as its Atonement. [OCA]

Ode v. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos (not metered).

The Forerunner now is bound by fear, ⁄ not daring to baptize Christ, ⁄ for He Who covers the deep with water ⁄ stands naked in the river. (2) [OCA]

Glory.

The Wisdom of God, ⁄ Who rules the ungovernable waters of the heavens, ⁄ Who tames the depths and restrains the seas, ⁄ now draws near the Jordan ⁄ to be baptized by the hand of a servant. [OCA]

Both now.

You fashioned the first-created man; ⁄ now he is cleansed by baptism, O Christ! ⁄ You have wrapped the vault of heaven in clouds, ⁄ You are clothed with light as with a garment, ⁄ yet now You are seen naked in Jordan’s streams. ⁄ You uphold all things in Your hands, ⁄ but now You are held in the Baptist’s grasp. [OCA]

Ode vi. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos (not metered).

The lowest depth of my sins has encircled me; and, no longer able to endure the storm, like Jonah I cry to You the Master, “Bring me up from corruption.” (2) [SD]

Glory.

Knowing You as Lord, ⁄ the heavens glorified Your birth, O Savior. ⁄ Now the Father bears witness to You: ⁄ He who has been baptized is my beloved Son. [OCA]

Both now.

Wash yourself with streams of tears; ⁄ confess all your sins! ⁄ Draw near to Christ in fear! ⁄ He will cleanse you with fire and the Holy Spirit, ⁄ restoring you to your first beauty! [OCA]

Ode vii. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

In Babylon those Servants did not cringe at the furnace fire; but when cast into the midst of the flames, they were refreshed and sang the hymn: “Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Refusing to nod in agreement with the enemy, ⁄ let us not live deceitfully. ⁄ Do not use your neighbor wickedly! ⁄ Do not repay evil for evil! ⁄ For Christ is made manifest: ⁄ let us honor Him in love! [OCA]

Glory.

If you would be lovers of the Christ, ⁄ suffer with Him in this fleeting life. ⁄ He clothed Himself in our form; ⁄ He came to cleanse His image. ⁄ He presses forward to be baptized for our sake! [OCA]

Both now.

He who descends with me into the water, ⁄ being buried with me in baptism, ⁄ will share the glory of my rising. ⁄ This is Christ’s promise! ⁄ Let us go forth to meet it in faith! [OCA]

Ode viii. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos.

Braving all danger for their ancestral Laws, the blessed young men in Babylon spat disdainfully upon the king’s unreasonable decree; and being joined to the fire, by which they were not consumed, they sang a hymn worthy of God the Ruler: “Sing a hymn to the Lord, all you works, and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Let us, the guests of God’s banquet, ⁄ who feasted in Bethlehem, ⁄ giving glory to the incarnate Lord, ⁄ with the angels, Magi and shepherds, ⁄ now proceed in the spirit to Jordan, ⁄ seeing Christ perform a great mystery, ⁄ let us exalt Him throughout all ages! [OCA]

Glory.

Following love, the sum of the Law, ⁄ and the teaching of the prophets, ⁄ let us become imitators of Christ, ⁄ Who assumed the weakness of our flesh through love. ⁄ He reconciles us to the Father through baptism, ⁄ teaching us to sing: ⁄ Praise the Lord, all works of the Lord! ⁄ Exalt Him throughout all ages! [OCA]

Both now.

Receiving Him who came to be washed, ⁄ that He might wash away the sins of all, ⁄ John forbade Him, drawing back in fear: ⁄ It is I who need to be baptized by You! ⁄ How can the friend stand in the Bridegroom’s place? ⁄ I am only a word from Your voice; a moon reflecting You, the Sun, ⁄ Whom we exalt throughout all ages! [OCA]

Ode ix. Mode pl. 2. Heirmos (not metered).

Come, O faithful, ⁄ having enjoyed the Master’s hospitality: ⁄ The banquet of immortality ⁄ in the lowly manger, ⁄ let us run to the Jordan, ⁄ there to see a strange mystery, ⁄ revealing the Light from on high. [OCA]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Going out from the wonders of Bethlehem ⁄ as from a sumptuous banquet, ⁄ to the lands along the Jordan, ⁄ let us behold a strange mystery accomplished there: ⁄ Christ draws near to be baptized; ⁄ He took our flesh to refashion Adam. [OCA]

Glory.

Begotten from the Father before all ages, ⁄ the Creator became flesh in these last days. ⁄ He was born of God’s Child, the pure Virgin. ⁄ Wishing to unite God and man, ⁄ through Baptism refashioning Adam. [OCA]

Both now.

In the midst of those seeking baptism, ⁄ You stood, a man in essence, not imagination, ⁄ the only sinless One by nature, ⁄ for You came to bury mankind’s punishment ⁄ in the baptismal waters. [OCA]

Come, O faithful, ⁄ having enjoyed the Master’s hospitality: ⁄ The banquet of immortality ⁄ in the lowly manger, ⁄ let us run to the Jordan, ⁄ there to see a strange mystery, ⁄ revealing the Light from on high. [OCA]

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. For the Apostles.

Mode 3.

O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

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. )