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Menaion - January 10

Memory of our Fathers among the Saints, Gregory Bishop of Nyssa, and Dometian Bishop of Melitene.

__________

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. 1.

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 St. Gregory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. N/M (God-bearing Father.)

Ὅσιε Πάτερ.

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

Righteous Father, holy Gregory: ⁄ flute played by the breath of the Paraclete, ⁄ filled with the clear melody of godliness, ⁄ candlestick enlightening many with divine light, ⁄ herald of truth, foundation of theology, ⁄ fountain of heavenly doctrine, ⁄ torrent of teaching sweet as honey, ⁄ lyre, playing songs written by God, ⁄ gladdening the hearts of the faithful! ⁄ Wise one, pray without ceasing to Christ, ⁄ Who was baptized in the streams of Jordan for the renewal of the world, ⁄⁄ that He may save our souls! [OCA]

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

Righteous Father, all praised Gregory, ⁄ battle axe hewing down the assaults of heresy! ⁄ Two-edged sword of the Paraclete, ⁄ dagger piercing the heart of false doctrine, ⁄ fire consuming the brushwood of error, ⁄ fan skillful to separate the chaff of vanities from the kernel of doctrine, ⁄ rule measuring the way to salvation with precision! ⁄ Pray without ceasing to Christ, ⁄ Who was baptized in the streams of Jordan for the renewal of the world, ⁄⁄ that He may save our souls! [OCA]

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

Righteous Father, blessed Gregory, ⁄ your lips flow with gracious words ⁄ drawn from the divine fountain of salvation freely given: ⁄ Words of prayer, which you interpret for all! ⁄ Guide, leading us in the straight path of righteousness: ⁄ You were adorned with the graces of contemplation; ⁄ you shone with the radiance of the uncreated Trinity. ⁄ Unconquered one, pray without ceasing to Christ, ⁄ Who was baptized in the streams of Jordan for the renewal of the world, ⁄⁄ that He may save our souls! [OCA]

For St. Dometian.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. O Martyrs, extolled.

Πανεύφημοι μάρτυρες.

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

The devil, who threatened the in the past * that he would take over all the earth, and boasted that he would make the oceans disappear, * has today been shown as * weaker than a sparrow and more laughed at by the faithful than that pathetic gnat, the form of which * he assumed once hoping to annoy * and to frighten * Dometian, the servant of Christ. [SD]

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

Dometian invites us all today * to this banquet in his honor, which is pleasing to God. Come, O believers, let us all * cheerfully attend it * and festively celebrate * his memory and all his accomplishments, and earnestly entreat * that the Savior of our souls bestow * on the whole world * the blessing of lasting peace. [SD]

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

All-honored Dometian, you received * the talent of Christ, and as a faithful servant increased it by His multiplying grace. * Now you hear your Master * blessing and rewarding you, * and telling you, “Well done, truly good and faithful servant, yes, well done! * Enter now into your Master’s joy, * so that you may be honored for all your works.” [SD]

Glory. For St. Gregory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Gregory of Nyssa, ⁄ you were adorned with wise words and valiant deeds. ⁄ You gladden the faithful with your God-proclaiming voice; ⁄ you enlighten us with knowledge ⁄ explaining the unity of the Trinity. ⁄ You defeated alien teachings with true doctrine; ⁄ you established the faith with strength! ⁄ Now you stand before Christ with His bodiless servants: ⁄⁄ Pray that He may grant peace and great mercy to our souls! [OCA]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

The hand of the Baptist trembled, ⁄ when it touched Your immaculate head: ⁄ The river Jordan turned back, not daring to minister to You. ⁄ For how could that which stood in awe of Joshua the Son of Nun ⁄ not be afraid before Joshua’s Creator? ⁄ But You, Savior, have fulfilled all that was appointed, ⁄ so that You might save the world by Your epiphany, ⁄⁄ only Lover of mankind! [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 Feast.

From Menaion - - -

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

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

Let all creation, ⁄ now set free from bondage, ⁄ sing a new song to Christ ⁄ Who shone from the Virgin, ⁄⁄ and was baptized in the Jordan today! [OCA]

Verse: The sea saw them and fled, the Jordan turned back. [SAAS]

The trumpet of prophets, ⁄ the Forerunner cried out: ⁄ Offer to the Lord ⁄ Who is baptized in the waters ⁄⁄ the fruits of repentance and good works. [OCA]

Verse: What is it to you, O Sea, that you fled, and to you, O Jordan, that you turned back? [SAAS]

The Holy Spirit ⁄ Who shines from the Father ⁄ wonderfully descended from on high ⁄ in the form of a dove ⁄⁄ and was seen to rest on Christ. [OCA]

Glory. For St. Gregory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

God-revealing Gregory, ⁄ you passed your life in godliness. ⁄ You made your actions radiant through contemplation, ⁄ you desired divine wisdom for your love; ⁄ you were enriched with graces flowing from the Spirit! ⁄ Your words drip with sweetness, like honey from the comb, ⁄ you gladden the Church of God with your divine thoughts! ⁄ Now you gaze upon the Lord in heaven: ⁄⁄ Never cease to pray for us who honor your memory. [OCA]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

John the Baptist saw You draw near, ⁄ Who cleanse the sin of the world by Spirit and by fire. ⁄ He cried aloud in fear and trembling, and said: ⁄ I dare not touch Your immaculate head. ⁄ Sanctify me, Master, by Your epiphany, ⁄⁄ only 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]

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. )

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Saints.

Mode 4.

O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You. [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 He who condescended to be baptized by John in the Jordan, for our salvation, 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, our father among the saints Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, whose memory we celebrate, 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. )