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Octoechos - Mode 1.

On Sunday Morning

Menaion - January 28

Memory of St. Ephrem the Syrian

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode 1. Automelon.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!” [GOASD]

Glory. For the Saint.

Mode pl. 4.

With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Ephrem, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You were born of a Virgin, and You endured crucifixion for us, O good Lord. By Your death You divested death of spoils, and You displayed resurrection, as God. Please do not despise us, the work of Your hand. Demonstrate Your loving kindness, O merciful Master. Defer to Your Mother, the Theotokos, when she intercedes on our behalf, and save us, Your people in despair, O Savior. [GOASD]

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 Octoechos - - -

Mode 1. Automelon.

The soldiers who were guarding Your tomb became like dead men, * O Savior, when Your Angel appeared there like lightning * and said to the women that You had risen, as You had said. * We now worship You, our only God, and extol You, * for You conquered death and dissolution, O Master, * and rose from the sepulcher. [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 1. The soldiers.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

O merciful Lord, nailed to the Cross of Your own will, * O Giver of Life, laid in a tomb as a mortal, * by death You destroyed the power of death, as the Mighty One. * For the doorkeepers of Hades quaked when they saw You. * With yourself You raised those who were long dead, O Savior * supremely benevolent. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

When Gabriel had said to you, “Rejoice!” blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free! [GOASD]

From Octoechos - - -

Kathisma II.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

The women were at the tomb early in the morning. * When they saw a vision of angels, trembling came upon them. * The sepulcher was radiating life, and the dazzling marvel astonished them. * They departed and ran to proclaim the resurrection to the Disciples. * “Christ, the only strong and mighty Lord, * has divested Hades of its spoils. * He has freed the dead from fear of condemnation * by the power of the Cross and raised them all with himself.” [GOASD]

Glory.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross. * Immortal Lord, You were counted among the dead. * You rose on the third day, O Savior, and resurrected Adam from decay. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ! * Glory to Your resurrection! * Glory to Your condescension, only benevolent God!” [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. The soldiers.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

O Mary, whose august body hosted the Master, * we pray you raise us up, for we are sunk in the darkness * of dreadful despondency, of transgressions and suffering. * Lady, you indeed are the salvation of sinners. * You give help to us; you are our mighty protection; * and you save us your servants. [GOASD]

Resurrectional Evlogetaria.

Mode pl. 1.

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”

Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.

When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”

Glory.

We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.

Both now.

Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

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 blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Hypakoe. Mode 1.

The robber’s repentance steals Paradise. The Myrrh-bearers’ mourning reveals the joy, for You had risen, O Christ our God, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]

CHOIR

Anavathmoi.

First Antiphon. Mode 1.

In my affliction, I cry out to You, O Lord. Hear me in my grief. [GOASD]

The longing for God is unceasing in those who dwell in the desert, outside of the futile world as they are. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son, belong the honor and the glory. Therefore let us sing a hymn to the Trinity, the one and only Ruler. [GOASD]

Second Antiphon.

Having lifted me up to the mountains of Your laws, brighten me with virtues, O God, that I may praise You. [GOASD]

With Your right hand embracing me, O Logos, keep me safe and shelter me, so that the fire of sin not burn me. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

By the Holy Spirit all creation is renewed, and thus returns to its first state. For He is equal in power to the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]

Third Antiphon.

When they said to me, “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,” my spirit was glad and my heart rejoiced also. [GOASD]

Over the house of David there is great fear; for when thrones are set there, all the tribes and tongues of the earth will be judged. [GOASD]

Glory. Both now.

To the Holy Spirit the honor, worship, glory, and dominion that befit the Father and the Son should also be ascribed, for the Trinity is one in nature but not in persons. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon.

“Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly.” (2)

Verse: The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver fired in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

“Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly.” [SAAS]

Eothinon Gospel (Not EP / GOA)

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon Eothinon 1

Matthew. 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen.” [RSV]

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

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. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]

Glory.

At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies, through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonder-workers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the victorious, Demetrios the Myrobletes, Theodore Teron, and Theodore Stratelates; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the Hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints; We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Ode 1: Octoechos: Canon-1

The Canon

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode i. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Σοῦ ἡ τροπαιοῦχος.

Glorified in strength, as divine, * was Your victorious right hand, immortal Lord; * for, being all-powerful, it dashed and shattered the pursuing enemy, * opening a new way across the sea for the Israelites. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You in the beginning, being God, * with Your immaculate hands fashioned me from dust. * Later You stretched out Your hands when You were crucified, and then called back from earth * my corrupted body, which You assumed from the Virgin, O Lord. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He who put in me a living soul * through His divine insufflation, gave up His own * soul to death and died for me. And then releasing me from the primeval bonds, * with himself He raised me; with incorruption He glorified me. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

We salute you, Fountainhead of grace: * Rejoice! O heavenly ladder and gate: Rejoice! * Lamp-stand and the golden jar: Rejoice! O mountain that was quarried not: Rejoice! * For the world you gave birth to Christ who is the Giver of life. [SD]

Ode 1: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (When they had walked.)

Ὡς ἐν ἠπείρῳ πεζεύσας.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

With the rain of your prayers, which brings joy, irrigate my soul which has been dried up by the drought of my passions and thoughts and inspire me with a word to praise your feast, all-blessed one. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having flashed brightly with noetic light, you were shown to be a sun, illumining the fullness of the faithful with the light-bestowing virtues and the beauty of the dogmas, O Ephraim. [VPA]

Glory.

You extinguished the flame of the passions with the rivers of your tears and became an honorable vessel of the Holy Spirit, O Ephraim, bringing forth springs of teachings, God-blessed one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Having received the Logos in your womb without corruption, you brought forth the one who delivers from corruption those who always worship/serve/adore him, O august Virgin-mother, who are truly the gate of life. [VPA]

Ode 1: Katavasia

Ode i. Katavasia. Mode 3.

Sunlight once hovered over the abyssal plain that was rendered dry of old. * For the water like a wall on either side became solid, * and people walked across on dry land and sang an ode, pleasing to God, * “Sing to the Lord, who triumphed; for He is greatly glorified.” [SD]

Ode 3: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iii. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ὁ μόνος εἰδώς.

As You are the only One who knows * our mortal nature’s frailty and with compassion assumed the form thereof, * O Savior, gird me with the power from on high, * to cry out that Holy is the animate temple * of Your ineffable glory, benevolent Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Benevolent Lord, You are my God, * who pitied me, the fallen one; and in Your good pleasure You came down to me. * Through crucifixion You have exalted me, * to cry out that Holy are You, O Lord of glory, * and unparalleled in Your benevolence. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, being hypostatic life, * my Lord and sympathetic God, * You clothed yourself with me the corrupted one. * When You descended into the dust of death, * you destroyed mortality; and rising on the third day, * You clothed the dead with immortality. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Virgin, you remained unconsumed, * conceiving God within your womb by the all-holy Spirit’s overshadowing. * To Prophet Moses, the giver of the Law, * the unconsumed burning bush that he saw foreshadowed you, * who would receive in yourself the unbearable fire. [SD]

Ode 3: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (No one is holy.)

Οὔκ ἐστιν ἅγιος.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having cleansed yourself of all the slime of the passions, you were shown to be truly a possessor of virtues and a spacious vessel of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Not having given at all sleep to your eyes, you were seen to be a dwelling of the Holy Trinity and a treasure of wisdom, enriching the world with dogmas which shine like gold, O blessed one. [VPA]

Glory.

Christ’s august church knows you to be another golden-flowing Euphrates which, by flowing, forms a sea wise dogmas and waters the entire creation. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

One of the Holy Trinity, having been marvelously incarnate from your pure blood in two natures, came to save those descended from Adam in his goodness, O all-holy one. [VPA]

Ode 3: Katavasia

Ode iii. Katavasia. Mode 3.

As the firm support of those who hope in You firmly, * O Lord and our Savior, support us, Your holy * Church You purchased * with Your most precious blood, O Christ. [SD]

Ode 3: 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. )

For You are our God, 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. )

Mid-Ode Kathisma or Hypakoe

CHOIR

Kathisma.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. N/M (Let us worship the Word.)

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.

O faithful, let us sing hymns to the treasure of the wisdom of the mysteries of Christ, the divine vessel of compunction, as we celebrate his memory, for, ever worthy of his name, Ephraim brings joy to the hearts of the faithful with divine words, as a worker and mystic of the revelations of the Lord. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.

You are fervent protection that is invincible, * and the hope that is sure and is never put to shame, * shelter, haven, and high wall for those who flee to you, * with the angelic hosts on high, make entreaty with your Son and God, O pure Ever-virgin, * that He grant peace and great mercy and His salvation to all the world. [SD]

Ode 4: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode iv. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ὄρος σε τῇ χάριτι.

Habakkuk the Prophet once perceived with foreseeing eyes, * that you would be the mountain overshadowed by the grace of God. * O Virgin, he prophesied that the Holy One of Israel would come from you, * for our salvation and for our refashioning. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Who is this, our Savior, who is coming from Edom now? * He wears a plaited crown of thorns and garments dyed in crimson red, * and He has been crucified. This is the Holy One of Israel, who has come * for our salvation and for our refashioning. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

See and be embarrassed, you people who did not believe. * Out of your minds, you demanded that Pilate crucify the Lord, * as if He were a criminal! But being God, He destroyed the power of death, * and on the third day He rose from the sepulcher. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Virgin, we know you as the veritable tree of life. * For you did not produce a fruit that would be lethal to mankind * when eaten illicitly, but One that gives the enjoyment of eternal life, * for the salvation of us now extolling you. [SD]

Ode 4: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (The holy Church of God.)

Χριστός μου δύναμις.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

The power of your words went through the entire word, blessed one, banishing the blindness of souls by the light of humility, which uplifts. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

You spent your life blamelessly, cleansing yourself with tears and telling to all the coming of the Judge with wise words, O admirable revealer of God. [VPA]

Glory.

The Lord, seeing the illustrious height of your humility, gave you a word which raises up and through which the terrible heights of the heresies were humbled. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

We bless the Virgin as a divine land, a holy mountain, a fountain of incorruption, and the only chosen one for our creator God. [VPA]

Ode 4: Katavasia

Ode iv. Katavasia. Mode 3.

The heavens were covered by Your virtue, O Christ. * For coming forth from the Ark of Your holiness, Your Mother who sustained no corruption, * You appeared today in Your glorious Temple, as an infant held in arms. * And the entire creation was filled with Your praise. [SD]

Ode 5: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode v. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ὁ φωτίσας τῇ ἐλλάμψει.

By the brightness of Your coming You enlightened the world, O Christ, * by the power of Your Cross you illumined the ends thereof. * With the light of knowing You as God enlighten now the hearts of * those who extol You with Orthodox faith. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When the people in Judea had the Shepherd of the sheep * put to death upon the Cross, He the great God and Lord of all * went to Hades, where the dead like sheep were buried, and He saved them * and rescued them from the realm of death. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By Your Cross You went to Hades and proclaimed the Gospel of peace, * O my Savior, and pronounced forgiveness on the captives there. * By Your divine rising, O Christ, You embarrassed him who held them, * for he was stripped and bereft of all. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Disregard not the petitions of those who pray faithfully, * but accept them, O immaculate Lady extolled by all, * and present them to your Son and God, the only Benefactor; * for we have you as our patroness. [SD]

Ode 5: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (With Your divine light.)

Τῷ θείῳ φέγγει σου.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

With the flows of your tears you completely dried up the sea of pleasures, O Father, and by the spring of your teachings, you inundated the flows of heresies, blessed one. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Your mind, having been illumined by your inclination towards God, Father Ephraim; became all divine, as a mirror of the divine Spirit, receiving the reflections of immaterial things. [VPA]

Glory.

Father, you truly became a spacious temple of the Trinity, adorned with grace and the clarity of pure virtues, and the wholeness of your teachings. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

The tasting of the tree in Eden by the evil counsel of the serpent made me dead, but you, having given birth to the life-giver Christ, gave me life, O only one graced by God. [VPA]

Ode 5: Katavasia

Ode v. Katavasia. Mode 3.

Isaiah had a mystical vision of God * sitting on a throne lifted up, * and around Him stood the glorious Seraphim. * The Prophet cried out, “Woe is me! * With my eyes I have foreseen incarnate God; * and He is the Master of never-setting light and peace.” [SD]

Ode 6: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vi. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ἐκύκλωσεν ἡμᾶς.

The lowest depth encircles us, like Jonah said, * and there is no deliverer. * We are counted as sheep for slaughter, O Lord. * Save Your people, for You are our only God. * You are our strength, and You restore us, the weak and broken down. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The first-created man’s mistake in Paradise * had seriously wounded us. * For this reason You were wounded for our sake, * Lord, and by Your bruise we have been healed, O Christ. * You are our strength, and You restore us, the weak and broken down. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You brought us up from Hades, which is likened to * a whale that is omnivorous, * and which You who are omnipotent subdued. * You destroyed its power by Your might, O Lord. * For You are life and light, O Christ, and the resurrection of all. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

O Virgin all-immaculate, in you rejoice * the human race’s ancestors; * for through you they are enjoying once again * Eden, which they lost through disobedience. * O Lady, chaste were you before and after your childbirth. [SD]

Ode 6: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (I see when my life.)

Τοῦ βίου τὴν θάλασσαν.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

The God-bearer, putting down not a foundation on sand, but an unbroken faith, remained unshaken by all the counsels of the enemy, being guided by your unconquered might. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Father, your tongue truly became a swift-writing pen like that of a scribe, imparting all-pious knowledge and inscribing the tablets of the hearts with the law of the Spirit. [VPA]

Glory.

Those who sail the calm sea of your dogmas, God-bearer Ephraim, are freed from the waves which harm souls, and looking up through faith they are saved from the storm of heresies. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

He who, as God, is beyond all noetic and seen creation, having put on a body came from your womb, keeping you i, as you were before your childbirth, O bride of God. [VPA]

Ode 6: Katavasia

Ode vi. Katavasia. Mode 3.

To You, the Elder cried out, on seeing * with his own eyes the salvation that You prepared for all people, * “God from God are You, Christ my Savior.” [SD]

Ode 6: Short Litany

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 You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, 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. )

Principal Kontakion and Synaxarion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

You rose from the tomb in glory as God, and You raised the world along with You. The human race extolled You as God, as death was obliterated, O Master. Now Adam dances, and Eve rejoices, freed from the bonds, and cries out, “O Christ, You have granted resurrection to all!” [GOASD]

Oikos.

Let us extol, as omnipotent God, the One who rose on the third day; for He smashed the gates of Hades, and He raised from their graves the dead from all time. As He wished He was seen by the Myrrh-bearing Women, to whom first He exclaimed, “Rejoice!” thus saying declaring to His Apostles the joy, as the only Giver of Life. Then the women in good faith bring good news of the proof of the victory to the Disciples. But Hades groans, and Death laments. The world exults, and everyone celebrates, O Christ, for You have granted resurrection to all! [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 28 we commemorate our devout father Ephraim the Syrian.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Palladios.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Iakovos the ascetic.

On this day two martyrs, a mother and daughter, died by the sword.

On this day the holy martyr Grace died when her feet were cut off.

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

Ode 7: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode vii. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Σὲ νοητήν.

We who believe know you as the spiritual * furnace, O Mother of our God. * For your highly exalted Son, who once saved those servants three, * in your womb refashioned me and humanity entirely. * He is the God of our fathers, supremely praised and glorious. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Earth shook with fear, and the sun was horrified; * it turned away and hid its light. * Torn in two was the sacred curtain of the Temple of God. * The earth quacked and rocks were split; * for crucified was the Righteous One, * who is the God of our fathers, supremely praised and glorious. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Lord, You became like a slain and helpless man, * thrown down, yet free among the dead. * You, the highly exalted Lord, suffered voluntarily, * freed all our humanity, * and raised us with yourself by Your mighty hand. * You are the God of our fathers, supremely praised and glorious. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

We sing “Rejoice,” and salute you fittingly. * Rejoice, O Garden of delight! * Fortress of the faithful, rejoice! * Spring of ever-living drink, rejoice! Universal joy, * rejoice! O Virgin Mother, through you to us * shone forth the God of our fathers, supremely praised and glorious. [SD]

Ode 7: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (In the furnace the Lord’s Angel.)

Δροσοβόλον μὲν τὴν κάμινον.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

You were seen to be a most exact law-giver for monastics, all-honored one, and a protector from the webs of all enemies. Therefore, Father, we honor your august and holy memory upon the earth. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

You were seen to be a most exact law-giver for monastics, all-honored one, and a protector from the webs of all enemies. Therefore, Father, we honor your august and holy memory upon the earth. [VPA]

Glory.

You became a harmonious instrument of the Spirit, ever-memorable one, always resounding with his breaths and making a salvific melody of repentance for us who hymn you. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Your conception was beyond understanding, O Bride of God, for you bore God the Word, who delivers from senselessness all earth-born and who grants us a word to cry out: Blessed are you, O God of our fathers. [VPA]

Ode 7: Katavasia

Ode vii. Katavasia. Mode 3.

Servants in the furnace spoke of God. * You bedewed them, O God the Logos; * and You dwelt in the womb of the immaculate, holy Virgin. We praise You * and sing to You devoutly: * Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [SD]

Ode 8: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode viii. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Ἐν καμίνῳ Παῖδες.

Three young men of Israel were thrown * into the blazing furnace, * as if they were being smelted. * Shining brighter than pure gold with beauty of piety, * they sang, “Bless the Lord, all you works; to the Lord sing a hymn * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You create all things as You so will, * and You also transform them. * O Word of God, by Your Passion * You turned the shadow of death into eternal life, O Lord. * We unceasingly, with all of Your works, unto You sing a hymn * and exalt You beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Rising on the third day from the tomb, * You ended the perdition * and misery in the gates and strongholds of Hades, O Christ. * And therefore do all Your works * now unceasingly bless You as Lord and unto You sing a hymn * and exalt You beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Let us sing in praise of her who bore * that pearl of greatest value, * ineffably from God’s lightning without seeding, namely Christ. * Extolling her, let us say * to Him, “Bless the Lord, all you works; to the Lord sing a hymn * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Ode 8: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (From the flame.)

Ἐκ φλογὸς τοῖς Ὁσίοις.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Blessed one, you were shown to be light-bearing like another son, sending the rays of your teachings to the ends of the world, diminishing the lightless darkness of all sin with the light of repentance. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Blessed one, you were shown to be light-bearing like another son, sending the rays of your teachings to the ends of the world, diminishing the lightless darkness of all sin with the light of repentance. [VPA]

Glory.

Surrounded with streams of divine dogmas, you went out like a river out of another Eden, watering the face of the earth and drowning out the tares of impiety, divinely sweet one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Confessing you to be truly Theotokos, with faith we cry out the angel’s Rejoice to you, who alone brought forth joy upon the earth, full of grace and every blessed one. [VPA]

Ode 8: Katavasia

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 3.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Unharmed were the young men, who were champions * of belief in God, when they were thrown into the furnace * and they faced unbearable fire; and they sang a hymn to God: * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Kontakia and Synaxarion

READER

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Kontakion.

You rose from the tomb in glory as God, and You raised the world along with You. The human race extolled You as God, as death was obliterated, O Master. Now Adam dances, and Eve rejoices, freed from the bonds, and cries out, “O Christ, You have granted resurrection to all!” [GOASD]

Oikos.

Let us extol, as omnipotent God, the One who rose on the third day; for He smashed the gates of Hades, and He raised from their graves the dead from all time. As He wished He was seen by the Myrrh-bearing Women, to whom first He exclaimed, “Rejoice!” thus saying declaring to His Apostles the joy, as the only Giver of Life. Then the women in good faith bring good news of the proof of the victory to the Disciples. But Hades groans, and Death laments. The world exults, and everyone celebrates, O Christ, for You have granted resurrection to all! [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 28 we commemorate our devout father Ephraim the Syrian.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Palladios.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Iakovos the ascetic.

On this day two martyrs, a mother and daughter, died by the sword.

On this day the holy martyr Grace died when her feet were cut off.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of the Meeting

Ode i. Mode 3.

Sunlight once hovered over the abyssal plain that was rendered dry of old. * For the water like a wall on either side became solid, * and people walked across on dry land and sang an ode, pleasing to God, * “Sing to the Lord, who triumphed; for He is greatly glorified.” [SD]

Ode iii.

As the firm support of those who hope in You firmly, * O Lord and our Savior, support us, Your holy * Church You purchased * with Your most precious blood, O Christ. [SD]

Ode iv.

The heavens were covered by Your virtue, O Christ. * For coming forth from the Ark of Your holiness, Your Mother who sustained no corruption, * You appeared today in Your glorious Temple, as an infant held in arms. * And the entire creation was filled with Your praise. [SD]

Ode v.

Isaiah had a mystical vision of God * sitting on a throne lifted up, * and around Him stood the glorious Seraphim. * The Prophet cried out, “Woe is me! * With my eyes I have foreseen incarnate God; * and He is the Master of never-setting light and peace.” [SD]

Ode vi.

To You, the Elder cried out, on seeing * with his own eyes the salvation that You prepared for all people, * “God from God are You, Christ my Savior.” [SD]

Ode vii.

Servants in the furnace spoke of God. * You bedewed them, O God the Logos; * and You dwelt in the womb of the immaculate, holy Virgin. We praise You * and sing to You devoutly: * Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers. [SD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Unharmed were the young men, who were champions * of belief in God, when they were thrown into the furnace * and they faced unbearable fire; and they sang a hymn to God: * “All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord, * and exalt Him beyond measure unto all the ages.” [SD]

Eothinon Gospel (EP / GOA)

Stand for the Gospel reading.

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, 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.

CHOIR

Amen.

Mode 2.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

PRIEST

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

PRIEST (from the altar table)

Eothinon Eothinon 1

Matthew. 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen.” [RSV]

( Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. )

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

CHOIR

Psalm 50 (51).

Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)

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. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]

Glory.

At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Both now.

At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies, through the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonder-workers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the victorious, Demetrios the Myrobletes, Theodore Teron, and Theodore Stratelates; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the Hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints; We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Magnificat: Mode of Canon

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

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]

Ode 9: Octoechos: Canon-1

From Octoechos - - -

Canon for the Resurrection.

Ode ix. Mode 1. Heirmos.

Τύπον τῆς ἁγνῆς.

Burning, yet remaining unconsumed, * the bush revealed a type of your virgin childbirth. * And now we entreat that you extinguish the wild fire * of temptations, for it is engulfing us, * all-holy Theotokos, * and we will magnify you ceaselessly. [SD]

Troparia.

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Oh, how could those disobedient, * unlawful people take evil counsel and decide * to release a man who was a barbarous criminal, * and condemn to a cross Christ the righteous One! * He is the Lord of glory, * and we now magnify Him worthily. [SD]

Glory to Your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Savior, the all-blameless Lamb of God, * who took away the sin of the world, we glorify * You and Your divine Father and Spirit, the Trinity, * our theology sound, magnifying You, * O Christ, the Lord of glory, * who on the third day arose from the dead. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Theotokion.

Save, O Lord, Your people that with Your * most precious blood You purchased; and give our governments * the might to defend us from attacks of our enemies. * O benevolent Master, grant unity * and peace to all Your Churches, * at the entreaties of the Mother of God. [SD]

Ode 9: Menaion: Canon-1

Canon for the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2. N/M (It is impossible.)

Θεὸν ἀνθρώποις.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having been wounded with the love of the Almighty, you spent all your life lamenting and crying out with fear, venerable one: send up the waves of your grace, O Savior, maintaining it richly in the future life. [VPA]

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

God-bearer, admirable Ephraim, pleasant is the word of your compunction, rich and full of illumination for those who run to you, your life is without reproach, made bright and adorned with all the divinely-shining virtues. [VPA]

Glory.

You became a temple of the Spirit and a river full of life-flowing waters; an unshakeable foundation of the Church, support of monastics, ever-flowing stream of divine compunction, O Ephraim, worthy of wonder. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

It is impossible for human minds to understand the mystery of your child-bearing which is beyond understanding, O Virgin, for God, having dwelt within you, die not break the bars of your virginity, as only He knows, who is beyond understanding. [VPA]

Magnificat: Mode of Katavasia

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 3.

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]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 3.

Theotokos, as the hope of us Christians, one and all, * guard and shelter and protect those who put their hope in you.

In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * we the faithful perceive the decree: * Consecrate to God every male, the first-born opening the womb. * Now the unoriginate Father’s first-born Logos and Son * is also first-born of a virgin Mother, and we magnify Him. [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

Mode 2.

Holy is the Lord our God. (2) [SAAS]

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.

For He is holy.

From Octoechos - - -

Exaposteilarion.

Eothinon 1.

Mode 2. Automelon.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Let us in faith now join the Lord’s * disciples on the mountain * in Galilee, and we shall see * Christ saying He was given * all authority, both on high * and below. We shall hear Him * teach how to baptize nations all, * in the name of the Father and of the Son * and the Holy Spirit, and say He always * is with believers to the close * of the age, as He promised. [GOASD]

For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

You are to us like a river * flowing with streams that are golden, * and rousing all Christian peoples * to take the path of repentance. * O Father Ephrem, implore Christ * and pray for the world’s salvation. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

You are the hope of the hopeless, * you are the refuge for Christians, * O all-lauded Theotokos, * you are the joy of the oppressed. * Deliver us your unworthy * servants from every affliction. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 1.

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]

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.

   

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Stichera.

Mode 1.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]

We extol Your saving Passion, O Christ, and we glorify Your resurrection. [GOASD]

Mode 1.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]

You endured crucifixion, and You abolished death, and You rose from the dead. We pray You grant us a peaceful life, O Lord, as the only Almighty One. [GOASD]

Mode 1.

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

You plundered Hades, and You raised humanity, by Your resurrection, O Christ. We pray You grant us to extol You and glorify You with a pure heart. [GOASD]

Mode 1.

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

We glorify Your divine condescension, and we extol You, O Christ. From the Virgin You were born, and from the Father You remained inseparable. As a man You suffered and voluntarily endured the Cross. As one emerging from a bridal chamber, You rose from the sepulcher, in order to save the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]

Stichera. For the Saint.

From Menaion - - -

From Vespers.

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

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

When you had seen Paradise’s beauty reflected in you * and had delighted richly in its unspoiled meadows, * you blossomed for the world the knowledge of God. * And as we now partake of it, * our souls are growing in spirituality, * in the Spirit, O devout Ephrem. [SD]

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

When you had seen Paradise’s beauty reflected in you * and had delighted richly in its unspoiled meadows, * you blossomed for the world the knowledge of God. * And as we now partake of it, * our souls are growing in spirituality, * in the Spirit, O devout Ephrem. [SD]

Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. [SAAS]

You have depicted the Coming * of Christ the Judge of all, * and thus you teach all people * that they ought by the shedding * of tears to light their souls’ lamps, and you proclaim * that the Bridegroom will surely come: “So let us all now put on a bright splendid robe, * so that we can meet the Bridegroom Christ.” [SD]

Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]

You put restraints on your body * through self-control, O Saint, * and mortified the movements * of the passions, O Father, * by many prayers and vigils. Therefore the might * of the Spirit came over you, * and it exhibited you, O Ephrem, to be * a noetic star for all the world. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Glory. Mode 1.

Eothinon 1.

The disciples hastened to the mountain, for the Lord’s ascension from the earth; and when they saw Him they worshiped Him. He told them about the universal authority He was given, and then He sent them out to all the earth under heaven, to preach the resurrection from the dead and the return to heaven. And He, who never lies, promised to be with them forever. He is Christ our God and the Savior of our souls. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. 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.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.

Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)

Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]

Litanies, End, no Dismissal

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Let us pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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

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. )

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. )

More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Litanies and Dismissal

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Let us pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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

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. )

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. )

More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

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

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May He who rose from the dead, 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. )