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Menaion - January 30

Memory of the Holy Three Hierarchs

__________

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.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Those three magnificent luminaries of the tri-solar Godhead, who lit up the whole world with rays of divine doctrines; those mellifluent rivers of wisdom, who irrigated all creation with the waters of the knowledge of God; Basil the Great, and Gregory the Theologian, and the illustrious John, whose tongue produced golden words! Let all of us who are enamored of their words come together and sing hymns to honor them. For they are ever interceding with the Trinity on our behalf. [SD]

Glory. Another.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

As like-mannered to the Apostles and Teachers of the Christian world, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [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 Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

Most radiant luminaries of the Church of Christ, * O Fathers made wise by God, you have enlightened the world * with your doctrines and treatises, * reducing every error and heretical teaching, * extinguishing the fiery confusion of blasphemers. * And therefore as Hierarchs of Christ * intercede that we be saved. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Mother of Christ our God, all-lauded Virgin most pure, * O Mary the Bride of God and unwed Maiden, the help of believers all, * save us from every danger and all manner of hardship, * O Lady Theotokos, as we run to your shelter * with ardent faith and longing, O only Bride of God. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Having flown like bees within * the field of Holy Writ, * you did skillfully select * from its flowers what was best, * and you produced the honey of your teachings; * and now you set them out * for all the faithful to feast * on the sweetness of your words * as on a full-course meal. * And therefore everyone who has been sweetened * cries out to you in gladness: * “Again be with us, who now extol you, * O blessed Fathers, even after death.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Without conscience I am tossed * about by storms the passions bring; * hence I fervently invoke * you to assist me, O pure Maid. * Since you gave birth to the abyss of mercy, * leave me not to drown, wretched coward that I am, * for except for you I have no other hope. * Let me not become the laughing-stock of demons, * for I have placed my hope in you, * and you are able * to do as you will, * as the Mother of the God of all. [SD]

Kathisma III.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You appeared today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

Let us faithful magnify * today those most wise * teachers of the universe, * for while on earth they glorified * the God of all by their deeds and words; * and they promoted salvation for all mankind. [SD]

Glory.

Mode 4. You appeared today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

On this day the Church of Christ * is celebrating * the august and gala feast * of three great Teachers of the Church; * for they supported and strengthened her * by their divine words and dogmas inspired by God. [SD]

Both now.

Mode 4. You appeared today.

Unassailable Guardian * of those in trouble, * ardent Helper of the ones * who place their every hope on you, * from every danger deliver me. * You are the help and assistance of all in need. [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 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. )

CHOIR

First Antiphon.

Mode 4.

From my youth, many passions war against me. O my Savior, I implore You, uphold me and save me. (2) [GOASD]

You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire. (2) [GOASD]

Glory.

By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead. [GOASD]

Both now.

From the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well forth; they water all creation, so that life be engendered. [GOASD]

Prokeimenon. Psalms 131, 48.

O Lord, Your priests shall clothe themselves in righteousness; Your saints shall greatly rejoice. (2)

Verse: My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding.

O Lord, Your priests shall clothe themselves in righteousness; Your saints shall greatly rejoice. [SAAS]

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 John.

DEACON

Let us be attentive.

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

PRIEST (from the gate)

Jn. 10:9-16

The Lord said, “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” [RSV]

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

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Glory. Mode 2.

At the intercession of the holy Teachers, 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]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.

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

Grace was poured upon your lips, O devout Fathers, and you became shepherds of the Church of Christ, teaching the reasonable sheep to believe in the Trinity, coessential, in one Divinity. [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, 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; our fathers among the saints, great Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, whose memory we celebrate; 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. )

From Menaion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 2. N/M (You have taken.)

Τοὺς ἀσφαλεῖς.

You have taken to yourself, O Lord, the pinnacles among Teachers, those sacred theologians and preachers, to enjoy Your blessings and repose. For You accepted their labors and their toil as being higher than any whole-burnt offering, for only You glorify Your Saints. [SD]

Oikos.

Who is fit to open his lips and move his tongue to speak about these men who breathed fire in the power of Word and Spirit? Yet I will dare to say this much, that these three men excelled beyond all human nature in their many and great spiritual gifts, and in the active life as well as in contemplation they surpassed even those who have proved illustrious in both. Therefore You counted them worthy of the greatest gifts, since they were Your faithful servants; for only You glorify Your Saints. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On January 30, we commemorate our fathers among the saints and Ecumenical Teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom.

On this day was the contest of the holy Hieromartyr Hippolytus, Pope of Rome, and those with him: Censurinus, Sabainus, Chryse, and the rest.

On this day was the contest of the holy Martyr Theophilos the New.

The holy Neomartyr Theodore, who was from Mytilene and also witnessed there in the year 1784, died by hanging.

By their holy intercessions, 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]

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 2.

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]

Canon for the Theotokos.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ Θεὸν Λόγον.

Being from God, God the Logos * with ineffable wisdom * came to make Adam new who fell through food * into corruption unhappily. * From an all-holy Virgin * ineffably He took on flesh for us. * We the faithful extol Him concordantly and magnify. (2) [SD]

Troparia.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Divinely blest holy Maiden, * I entrust my petitions * and all my hopes wholeheartedly to you. * Save me, O Mother of genuine life; * and make earnest entreaty * that I be filled with everlasting joy, * for with faith I extol you and longingly I magnify. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

By your appearance, O Virgin, * as the gate of divine light, * illuminate the darkness of my soul * with immaterial flashes of your light. * I entreat you, O Pure One, * to rescue me from everlasting fire, * for with faith I extol you and longingly I magnify. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

As you observe us in sickness * of the soul and the body * and bedridden with painful suffering, * O Lady, being compassionate * grant the cure and release us * from sorry troubles now besetting us, * so that we may extol you unceasingly and magnify. [SD]

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Before the ages the Father * from the womb did beget Him, * the Son who dwelt within your virgin womb * and has become truly perfect man. * O all-pure Theotokos, * he gave you as a fount of gifts for us * who with faith duly worship your ineffable childbirth. [SD]

For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. To us was revealed.

Ἀνάρχου Γεννήτορος.

O my soul, magnify those three great luminaries among the Church’s Hierarchs.

Since we are your rational and veritable farm and flock, * for the sake of whom you in your life went to great pains, * behold, we assemble in one group * and we include the three of you together * and hold your sweet unity * as a reason for communal praise. [SD]

O my soul, magnify the threefold shining lights of the Church of Christ the true Light.

Against those opposing her has grace pulled out her cutting sword * which has not merely two edges but indeed has three; * a single sword founded in heaven * and furnished with three sharp cutting edges, * it champions the Divinity * that shines with threefold radiance. [SD]

O my soul, magnify those men who put in order the Church of Christ the Master.

O glorious Hierarchs, while wearing your unspotted flesh, * yet your citizenship was in heaven all the same. * Genuinely dwelling therein now, * do intercede for us who are ruling, * that we set our minds on things * above and act accordingly. [SD]

O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honor and in glory than the armies of heaven

The breadth of your mighty deeds, O Lady, has confounded me, * suffocating the discourse beneath its density. * And it paradoxally happens * that I am at a loss in front of plenty. * And therefore we glorify the Lord who magnified you so. [SD]

Another Canon.

For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. The heavens were astounded.

Ἐξέστη ἐπὶ τούτῳ.

O my soul, magnify the three holy Shepherds of the all-holy Trinity.

The virtue of the Trinity is upraised; * it has filled with its glory the universe, for unto us * it has brightly shone forth another light * of threefold splendor like its own * effulgence, the heavenly mystagogues. * Through them we who are pious * and Orthodox are guided * to contemplation of the Trinity. [SD]

O my soul, magnify the three great Luminaries from the tri-solar Godhead.

There is no second best in these sacred three. * Each is thought to be foremost in precedence and to prevail * over his corrivals of equal rank. * But rather each with joy has made * his own the success of the other two. * There is no room among them * to envy one another * and thus destroy their unanimity. [SD]

Glory. For the Trinity.

O my soul, magnify the power of the Godhead that is three hypostases and also undivided.

Orthodoxy has brought forth her firstborn sons, * namely these holy Fathers, through whom she now is giving birth * unto her legitimate undefiled * children who are perfected by * the Spirit who spoke in them of true life. * And now she is entreating * that peace endure forever, * since she received it as their legacy. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

O my soul, magnify her who is more honorable than the armies of heaven.

The summit of the wise Teachers of the Church * clearly preached that your Son is the Son of the living God. * Their initiation into this truth * was by a revelation from * the eternal Father, not flesh and blood. * They taught that you, a Virgin, * were nonetheless a Mother * and Theotokos; whom they magnified. [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

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

Come let us all extol now * the holy vessels of the Light * those radiant bolts of lightning * namely that Great Saint Basil, * Gregory the Theologian, * as well as John the Golden Mouth. [SD]

Another.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.

O unitary Godhead, * Father, Son and Holy Spirit, * at the divine intercession * of Basil, Gregory and John * and of the pure Theotokos, * may we not part from Your glory. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

O Tower fashioned of pure gold, * and City which has a twelvefold wall, * O Throne aglitter with sunshine, * magnificent Chair of the King, * incomprehensible wonder, * how did you nurse the Master? [SD]

Lauds. Mode 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 Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. Are there any worthy crowns.

Ποίοις εὐφημιῶν στέμμασιν.

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

Are there any worthy crowns of praise * so that we might lay them on the holy Teachers? * Although they were physically separate, * yet in the Spirit they were unified. * And they are the chiefs of the God-bearers: * the servants * and numeric equals of the Trinity; * they shone forth * as luminaries of the universe. * And they are the Church’s pillars;* and with crowns of glory * these three holy men have been crowned * as victors by Christ our God, * the Lord who possesses great mercy. [SD]

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

Are there any worthy songs of praise * so that we might sing them to the God-bearers? * They are known as heaven’s initiates * and renowned as preachers of sound doctrine; * unadulterated Theologians: * Saint Basil * the great expositor and hierophant; * and also * the divine herald of God, Gregory; * and also John who is famous, * for his tongue was golden. * These were glorified as is meet * by the Holy Trinity, * the Lord who possesses great mercy. [SD]

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

Are there any worthy words of praise * so that we might say them to the Hierarchs? * Peers of the Apostles are they in grace, * and equal sharers in the Spirit’s gifts. * They are the destroyers of false doctrine, * the saviors * and trusty guides in word and actual deed, * the shepherds * who by their faith have imitated Christ. * They were on earth virtual Angels * and heavenly mortals. * They were greatly honored by Christ, * the glorious King of all, * the Lord who possesses great mercy. [SD]

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

Are there any worthy crowns of praise * to lay on John whose words were golden, * with his fellows Basil and Gregory? * for they were the Spirit’s receptacles. * And they were the Faith’s strong defenders; * the pillars of the Church; believers’ firm support; * assuagement and also advocates for all who sin; * the wells effusing the water * that we draw and drink from * and are sweetened in our souls, * while earnestly praying for * forgiveness of sins and great mercy. [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Today the souls of those born on earth are exalted from things earthly. Today they become heavenly, in the memorial of the Saints. For the gates of the heavens are lifted up, and the affairs of the Master are made known to us. The words proclaim the words, and the tongues sing of the miracles. And we cry out to the Savior: “Glory to You, O Christ our God; for through them has peace been made among the Faithful.” [SD]

Both now. For the Forefeast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2.

Today in the Temple, Christ is brought as an infant. Today, He who gave the Law to Moses comes under the Law himself. The armies of Angels are struck with awe, seeing that He who holds the universe together is being held in the arms of an old man. Symeon, filled with reverence and joy cries out: “Now You release me, O Savior, from this mortal life to one that never ends; for I have seen You and I am glad.” [SD]

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.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

As like-mannered to the Apostles and Teachers of the Christian world, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]