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Octoechos - Grave Mode.

On Tuesday Morning

Menaion - January 16

Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Apostle Peter

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Without leaving Rome, you came to us, through the precious Chains that you wore, O President of the Apostles. As we venerate them in faith, we pray to you: By your intercessions with God, grant to us the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

O humble sinners, let us now run in earnest * unto the Theotokos, and in repentance * fall down to her and cry out from the depths of our souls: * Show compassion unto us * and provide your assistance. * Hasten; we are perishing * in our many transgressions. * Turn not your servants empty-handed away; * for we have found you, O Lady, our only hope. [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. )

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 7. Then the short litany.

DEACON

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. )

PRIEST

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 Octoechos - - -

For compunction.

Grave Mode.

O my soul, you have the clinic of repentance. Go to it, imploring the Physician of souls and bodies, sighing and crying, “O benevolent Lord, free me from my offenses. Number me with the harlot, the publican, and the robber; and grant to me forgiveness of my transgressions, O God, and save me.” [GOASD]

Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.

I have not aspired to the publican’s repentance, nor have I acquired the tears of the harlot. Because of my indifference, I have no such amendment. So I implore You, O benevolent Lord, save me, by Your tender mercy, O Christ God. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O unwedded Theotokos, you are the ardent protection and assistance of us Christians. As such, join the Forerunner and implore Your Son, that we might find mercy. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 8. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

For compunction.

Grave Mode.

O Lord, You washed away Peter’s denial with his tears, and You forgave the Publican’s sins when he sighed. O benevolent Lord, have mercy on me. [GOASD]

Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me.

O my soul, in this life prepare yourself for the life to come, lest you be troubled. For in that place, nothing can help you, not wealth, nor power, not friends, nor powerful people; nothing, except the evidence of your works and the benevolence of our God. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Lord, we are Your people and sheep of Your flock. As our benevolent Shepherd, bring us back when we go astray; gather us when we are scattered. Have mercy on your flock. O only sinless One, have compassion on Your people, at the intercessions of the Theotokos. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma III.

For the Forerunner.

Grave Mode.

O Lord, as You are good, take pity on me, and wash away the dirt of my soul with the hyssop of You mercy. O Savior, cleanse me of defilement, and have mercy on me. Rescue me, Your creature, from the slime of the passions, at the intercessions of Your Forerunner, O only very merciful Master. [SD]

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.

For the Martyrs.

O Lord, Your holy Martyrs competed here on earth, and they trampled the enemy and negated the deception of idolatry. Therefore they received awards from You, O benevolent Master and merciful God, who to the world grant the great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

O blessed Theotokos, you are sympathetic towards our lowliness, and you shelter us on earth. Have compassion for us, a defenseless people. Intercede for us persistently, so that we not be horribly destroyed. O immaculate Lady, implore our placable God, to save our souls, O all-holy Virgin. [SD]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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 2. N/M (The Theotokos is undying.)

Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις.

Let us extol Peter, the first among Apostles, great and preeminent, that inspired spokesman of the truth, and in faith let us venerate his Chain, as we receive forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Oikos.

What tongue can worthily extol St. Peter, that renowned and great Disciple of the Lord? Which mind can rightly praise that man, whom God the Logos called blessed? And yet, since one should offer to Christ whatever ability he has, I will attempt to do this. Come, O fans of feast-days, let us piously crown the preeminent Apostle with songs, as we receive forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 16 is the veneration of the holy Chains of the holy and glorious Apostle Peter.

On this day we commemorate the holy martyrs and brothers Pefsippos, Elasippos, and Mesippos, and Neonilla their mother.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Danax the reader.

The holy New Hieromartyr Damaskinos, who witnessed in Gambrovo, Turnovo in the year 1771, died by hanging.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.

Λυτρωτὰ τοῦ παντός.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

O almighty Redeemer of all the world, * You came down in the midst of the furnace fire, * and You bedewed those pious men, * and You taught them to sing praise, * “O all you works, to the Lord sing * a hymn as you bless the Lord.” [GOASD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [SD]

Heirmos. Mode 4.

Ὁ τόκος σου ἄφθορος.

Your childbirth occurred without corruption. * It was God, wearing flesh, who came forth from your all-holy womb. * He was seen upon the earth and lived among men, O Theotokos; * therefore we all magnify you. [GOASD]

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 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Father, and not flesh and blood, * inspired your theology, * O Peter, that Christ is the Son * of the living God and Father. * And therefore He attested to * your blessedness because of this, * and He has called you by the name * Peter as the unbroken rock * and the Church’s foundation. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

We know you as a Virgin pure * and as a Mother, for you bore * a Son who is both God and man * in a way transcending nature. * Because of your pregnancy * salvation now has come to pass * for those who praise you with longing. * Glory, honor and worship * are due to the unbearable * and divine Holy Trinity. [SD]

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 Apostle.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. You rose within three days.

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

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

O paramount Apostle of Christ, * we honor all the work you did * to spread the Gospel, * and we faithfully revere * your Chains; and in so doing * we worship the Life-Giver, * our Lord, the Benefactor of our souls. [SD]

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

O paramount Apostle of Christ, * we honor all the work you did * to spread the Gospel, * and we faithfully revere * your Chains; and in so doing * we worship the Life-Giver, * our Lord, the Benefactor of our souls. [SD]

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

O Peter, you are praised by all. * You used your preaching like a hook * to pull people * from the sea of godlessness; * do likewise by your prayers * pull us, who now extol you, * from our depression, O Apostle of Christ. [SD]

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

O Peter, you are praised by all. * since you have access, with your prayers * as divine keys, * open up the pearly gates * for us who glorify you * the paramount Apostle, * that we may enter heaven readily. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

By his three-fold question: Peter, do you love me? ⁄ Christ set aside your three-fold denial. ⁄ Then Simon said to Him who knows the secrets of men: ⁄ Lord, You know all things; ⁄ You know that I love You! ⁄ Then the Savior said to him: ⁄ Feed my sheep; feed my chosen ones; ⁄ feed my lambs which I have gained for salvation by My Own blood! ⁄ Ever entreat Him, divinely blessed Apostle, ⁄⁄ that He may grant us great mercy! [OCA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

O all-pure one, since you possess * intercession that never sleeps * and persistent prayer and entreaty to the Lord, * I pray you quiet temptations all, * and calm the unruly waves * surging in my sorry soul. * When my heart is in turbulence, * gently comfort it. * Fill my mind with divine grace, I implore you, so that I may glorify you, * Virgin immaculate, worthily. [SD]

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 of the Octoechos.

From Octoechos - - -

Grave Mode.

O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down, like the unfruitful fig tree. But this year grant me forgiveness, and water my soul with the tears of my repentance, so that I may bring to You as fruit, charity and acts of mercy. [SD]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

No longer are we barred.

Οὐκ ἔτι κωλυόμεθα.

The Sun of Righteousness as You are, O Savior, * rightly guide our hearts to the light as we cry out: * Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

No longer are we barred.

Οὐκ ἔτι κωλυόμεθα.

While standing in the center of the arena * of the lawless pagans, the Martyrs rejoiced and cried out, “Glory to You, O Lord.” [SD]

Glory. For the Apostle.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

You worthily received the gifts of grace from God, O wise Apostle and rock of the Faith. And in return, all-lauded Peter, you offered your blood as something sweet to the Creator. He made it known that you hold the keys to the gates of heaven, to all who extol you faithfully. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

Bride of God, the thought of awful gloom and darkness of death alarms * and unsettles my sorry soul. * The thought that the demons will inspect all my actions * should cause me to tremble * in fear, O Lady; so I pray * that by your might you deliver me from them. * O unwed ever-virgin Mary, may I land safely at the port * of salvation, where all the saints * dwell in God’s never-setting light. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

Trisagion Prayers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

PRIEST

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

Without leaving Rome, you came to us, through the precious Chains that you wore, O President of the Apostles. As we venerate them in faith, we pray to you: By your intercessions with God, grant to us the great mercy. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

We magnify you, O Theotokos, and cry out: You are the bush in which, without being burnt, Moses saw, as a flame, the fire of Divinity. [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, the holy and glorious all-lauded Apostle Peter, the veneration of whose precious Chains we celebrate, 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. )