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Menaion - January 5

Forefeast of Epiphany; and Memory of the Holy Martyrs Theopemtus and Theonas, and Devout St. Syncletike.

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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. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Jordan River once turned back when Elisha struck its stream * with his mantle in the wake of Elias’s ascent; * and the water was parted to the one side and to the other. * And thus the fluid stream became a dry way for him, * a symbol and truly a type of Baptism, * by which we now pass over the streaming passage of the present life. * And Christ appeared at the Jordan River * to sanctify the waters. (3) [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 (In heaven.)

Χορὸς ἀγγελικός.

Rejoice, river Jordan, for the Maker of all draws near! ⁄ In His compassion, He desires to receive Baptism in your streams from a servant. ⁄ Rejoice and be glad Adam, and Eve the mother of mankind! ⁄⁄ For the Redeemer of all has come: God, supreme in goodness! [OCA]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 1. N/M (In heaven.)

Χορὸς ἀγγελικός.

The mighty Rain comes forth to the streams of the River, ⁄ desiring Baptism in the flesh. ⁄ Filled with amazement, the divine Forerunner said to Him: ⁄ How shall I baptize You, immaculate One? ⁄ How shall I stretch out my right hand upon Your head, ⁄⁄ for all things tremble before You? [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. N/M (You were so beautiful.)

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Together let us sing the praises of Him Who is beyond understanding: ⁄ In the flesh, He was made poor and came to Baptism ⁄ thus working our restoration, for He is God, rich in mercy! ⁄ Let us magnify His condescension, crying aloud with thankful hearts: ⁄⁄ Glory to Your Epiphany, O Christ! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

O Christ, in order to dress Adam’s nakedness * in the garment of glory, of which Isaiah spoke, * You are about to physically stand naked in River Jordan. * Such a paradox indeed! * How can water receive You, Lord, * who with water cover Your * upper chambers, as the Psalmist wrote? * O Jesus our merciful Benefactor, * we all extol You Epiphany. [SD]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 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]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 5, we commemorate the holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas.

On this day we also commemorate Saint Syncletike.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Gregory who was in Acritas.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Phosterios.

On this day, the holy Martyr Sais died after being thrown into the sea.

On this day, the holy Martyr Theoeidos died when he was trampled by the executioners.

On this day, the devout woman Domnina died in peace.

On this day, the devout woman Tatiana died in peace.

The holy new monastic Martyr Romanos of Karpenisi witnessed in Byzantium in the year 1694 and died by the sword.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Grave Mode.

Τὸν μόνον ἄναρχον.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

The ranks of bodiless hosts of Angels in heaven * with all the Powers shudder as they are blessing * the only beginningless King of glory. * O priests and people, sing 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. Grave Mode.

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 (not metered). Grave Mode.

Τὴν ὑπὲρ φύσιν Μητέρα.

With mystical songs, we believers magnify that supernatural Mother and natural Virgin, the only one who is blessed among women. [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

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

O hierarch Theopemptos, * whose name in Greek means “sent from God,” * God sent you strength as you were tortured, * by which you attracted to the Faith * Theonas your fellow athlete. * We praise you both and extol you. [SD]

For the Forefeast.

Mode 3. N/M (Having embellished.)

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

You have shone forth in the flesh from a Virgin in Bethlehem; ⁄ now You hasten towards the Jordan. ⁄ You will wash clean through holy Baptism ⁄ the filth of all the earth-born. ⁄⁄ You lead them out of darkness to the light! [OCA]

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

Stichera. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (O angelic powers.)

Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.

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

Baptist, why do you doubt the dispensation ⁄ that I fulfill for the salvation of all? ⁄ Set aside the old now and believe in the new! ⁄ Believe in God Who has come down to earth! ⁄ Draw near and obey me, ⁄⁄ for as God, I have come to cleanse fallen Adam in My compassion. [OCA]

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

Taking our sins upon Your shoulders, Jesus, ⁄ You have come to the streams of Jordan. ⁄ I am afraid at Your awesome appearing! ⁄ How do You ask me to baptize You? ⁄ You have come to cleanse me; ⁄⁄ how do You, the Cleanser of all, seek Baptism from me? [OCA]

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

My nature is beyond all understanding: ⁄ clothed in the form of a servant I have come to Jordan. ⁄ Do not doubt at all concerning Me. ⁄ Come to Me and do not fear! ⁄ Place your right hand on My head and cry aloud: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our God made manifest: Glory to You! [OCA]

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

Your poverty is beyond all thought and without measure, Word of God! ⁄ I know that in pity for my fallen sake, ⁄ You have clothed yourself in Adam; ⁄ You renew all the seed of Adam. ⁄ Obeying Your command I cry to You in faith: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our God made manifest: Glory to You! [OCA]

Glory. N/M (O angelic powers.)

John, minister in trembling to the Master! ⁄ Rejoice in soul and cry with gladness: ⁄ Rejoice with me, all generations of Adam the forefather! ⁄ Our Expectation has come: ⁄ He is filled with loving kindness! ⁄⁄ Christ has come to Jordan to cleanse all from the sin of Adam! [OCA]

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

Peoples, let us sing to the One born of a Virgin! ⁄ He was baptized in the river Jordan! ⁄ Let us cry aloud to Him: ⁄ King of all creation, ⁄ grant us in faith, that with clear conscience and uncondemned, ⁄⁄ We may reach Your holy Resurrection from the dead on the third day. [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 - - -

Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

Here is the King; behold * the one anticipated * by Israel has come now. * The light begins to shine forth. * O peoples, therefore leap for joy. [SD]

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

God, having taken flesh, * is seen by those on earth now; * the light appeared and was seen* by those who sat in darkness; * and unto all has grace shone forth. [SD]

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

Minister to the Light, * O lamp, and as the daybreak * unto the Sun, O Prophet, * the friend unto the Bridegroom, * and to the Word as Forerunner. [SD]

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. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Jordan River once turned back when Elisha struck its stream * with his mantle in the wake of Elias’s ascent; * and the water was parted to the one side and to the other. * And thus the fluid stream became a dry way for him, * a symbol and truly a type of Baptism, * by which we now pass over the streaming passage of the present life. * And Christ appeared at the Jordan River * to sanctify the waters. [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. )