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Menaion - February 2

The Meeting of our Lord

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

DEACON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Mode 1.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Tell us, Symeon. Whom are you holding in your arms, in the temple rejoicing? Whom are you speaking to and saying, “Now I am set free, for I have seen my Savior. He is the One born of a Virgin; He is God, the Word of God, who became incarnate for us and saved humanity. Let us worship Him.” [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Symeon, receive the One whom Moses saw in the dark cloud giving the Law on Sinai, and who now became an infant and is submitting to the Law. He is the One who spoke through the Law and who was spoken of by the Prophets; He became incarnate for us and saved humanity. Let us worship Him. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Let us also come; let us meet Christ with inspired song, and let us receive Him whose salvation was seen by Symeon. He is the One whom David proclaimed. He is the One who spoke in the Prophets; He became incarnate for us and spoke through the Law. Let us worship Him. [SD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Let the gate of heaven open today. For the Father’s beginningless Logos, having taken a beginning in time and not separated from His divinity, is willingly offered as a forty-day old infant, in the Temple of the Law, by His virgin Mother. And the Elder receives Him in his arms. “Let me depart,” cries the servant to the Master. “For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” O Lord, who came to the world to save the human race, glory to You! [GKD]

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The Readings

From Menaion - - -

READER

The reading is from the book of Exodus.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Ex 12:51; 13:1-2a, 3a, 10a, 11-12a, 14-16a; 22:28b; Leviticus 12:2b, 3, 4a, 4c, 6c, 8a, 8c; Numbers 8:16a, 16c, 17b-c

On that very same day, that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt with their army, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Sanctify to Me all the firstborn, the first-begotten, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel. Then Moses said to the people: Remember this day, in which you went out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place. You shall therefore keep this law. Then it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to your fathers, and gives it to you, that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every male. So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘With a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thus it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of cattle. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ It shall be as a sign on your hand and immoveable before your eyes, because thus says the Lord the Almighty: The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. If a woman conceived and bore a male child, then on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. For thirty-three days she is not to come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purification are fulfilled. When the days of her purification are fulfilled, she is to bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a whole burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of testimony. But if she is unable to afford a lamb, she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. So the priest shall make atonement for her. For they are Mine as a restitution offering from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of the firstborn from all the children of Israel, from man to cattle; on the day I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them to Myself. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 6:1-12

In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. The house was full of His glory. Around Him stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” The lintel was lifted up by the voice of those who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said, “Woe is me, because I am pierced to the heart, for being a man and having unclean lips, I dwell in the midst of a people with unclean lips; for I saw the King, the Lord of hosts, with my eyes!” Then one of the seraphim was sent to me. He had a live coal in his hand, which he took with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth, and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips. Your lawlessness is taken away, and your sin is cleansed.” I also heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?” Then I said, “Behold, here am I, send me.” So He said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You shall hear indeed, but not understand; and you shall see indeed, but not perceive.’ For the heart of this people has become insensitive, and their ears hear with difficulty. They have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return, and I should heal them.” Then I said, “Lord, how long?” So He answered, “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, the houses are without people, and the land shall be left desolate. After this God will remove the people far away, and those left in the land shall multiply.” [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 19:1, 3a, 4a, 4c, 5, 12, 16, 19-21

The vision of Egypt: Behold, the Lord sits on a swift cloud and shall come to Egypt, and the things made by hands in Egypt shall be shaken by His presence, and their heart shall be overcome within them. “The spirit of the Egyptians will be troubled within them, and I will reject their counsel, and I will deliver Egypt into the hands of harsh lords,” thus says the Lord of hosts. And the Egyptians will drink water from the sea, for the river will run dry and have no water. Thus says the Lord, “Where are your wise men now? Let them now tell you, and let them say what the Lord of hosts planned against Egypt.” In that day, the Egyptians shall be like women in fear and trembling because of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He shall lay upon them. In that day, there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the country of Egypt and a pillar to the Lord at its border. It will be a sign forever to the Lord in the country of Egypt, for they will cry to the Lord because of their oppressors, and the Lord will send them a Man who will save them. He will judge and save them. Then the Lord will be known to the Egyptians, and in that day the Egyptians will know the Lord and offer sacrifices. Yes, they will make vows to the Lord and pay them. [SAAS]

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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. )

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC]

( Amen. )

DEACON

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

( Lord, have mercy. )

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

( Grant this, O Lord. )

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

Procession and Litany.

CHOIR

Idiomelon 1.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

The ancient of days, Who gave Moses the law on Sinai in former times, ⁄ today appears as a Child. ⁄ As Maker of the law, He fulfills the law! ⁄ He is brought into the Temple according to the law, ⁄ and given over to the Elder. ⁄ Simeon the righteous receives Him. ⁄ Beholding the fulfillment of the divine order now brought to pass, ⁄ rejoicing aloud, he cries: ⁄ My eyes have seen the mystery hidden from the ages ⁄ made manifest in these latter days, ⁄ the Light that disperses the foolishness of the faithless gentiles, ⁄ and the glory of the newly-chosen Israel! ⁄ Therefore let Your servant depart from the bonds of this flesh ⁄ to the life filled with wonder that knows no age or end, ⁄⁄ for You grant the world great mercy! [OCA]

Idiomelon 2.

Mode 1.

Today He Who once gave the law to Moses on Sinai ⁄ submits Himself to the commandments of the law, ⁄ for our sakes, becoming as we are in His compassion. ⁄ Now the God of purity as a holy Child has opened a pure womb, ⁄ and as God, He is brought as an offering to Himself, ⁄ setting us free from the curse of the law, ⁄⁄ and granting Light to our souls! [OCA]

Idiomelon 3.

Mode 2.

Simeon now receives below in his earthly arms ⁄ the One Whom the ministers entreat with trembling in the heavenly liturgy on high. ⁄ He proclaims the union of God with mankind. ⁄ He sees the heavenly God as mortal Man! ⁄ He prepares to withdraw from earthly things, ⁄ and raises his cry in joy: ⁄ Glory to You, Lord, for You have revealed to those in darkness ⁄⁄ the Light that knows no evening! [OCA]

Idiomelon 4.

Mode 2.

Today Simeon receives in his arms ⁄ the Lord of glory whom Moses saw of old on Sinai ⁄ when in the cloud and darkness he was given the tables of the law. ⁄ This is He Who has spoken through the prophets! ⁄ He is the Creator of the law! ⁄ This is He Whom David foretold: ⁄⁄ He is fearful to all, yet shows us great mercy! [OCA]

Idiomelon 5.

Mode 2.

The sacred Virgin presented her sacred Son in the sacred Temple to the sacred Priest. And Symeon opened his arms and received Him with great joy, and he cried aloud, “O Master, now You let me Your servant depart in peace,according to Your word, O Lord.” [SD]

Idiomelon 6.

Mode 2.

The Creator of heaven and earth was held in the arms the holy Elder Symeon today, who in the Holy Spirit said, “Now I am set free, for I have seen my Savior.” [SD]

Idiomelon 7.

Mode 2.

Today the Elder Symeon enters the Temple, and he rejoices in the Spirit as he receives in his arms the One who gave the Law to Moses and who also fulfills the Law. Moses was granted to see God through darkness and a gentle voice; and with a veil over his face, he rebuked the unfaithful hearts of the Hebrews. But Symeon carried the Father’s pre-eternal Logos himself, now become incarnate; and he revealed the light of the Gentiles, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Anna also was shown to be a Prophetess, as she proclaimed the Savior and Redeemer of Israel. Let us sing to Him, “O Christ our God, through the Theotokos, have mercy on us. [GOASD]

Idiomelon 8.

Mode 4.

Today the sacred Mother, who is more exalted than the sacred Temple, went to the Temple, and she revealed to the world the world’s Creator, and the giver of the Law. When Elder Symeon took Him into his arms, he rejoiced and cried aloud, “Now You are letting me, Your servant, depart, for I have seen You, the Savior of our souls.” [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Search the Scriptures, as Christ our God said in the Gospels, and there we find Him: that He is born and wrapped in swaddling clothes; He nurses at His Mother’s breast; and He receives circumcision. He was also held by Symeon. For He came and was seen in the world, not in mere appearance nor as a phantom, but in very truth. So, let us cry out to Him, “O pre-eternal God, glory to You!” [SD]

Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

The Ancient of Days became an infant in the flesh, and He is brought to the Temple by His Virgin Mother; and thus He fulfills the requirement of His own law. When Symeon received Him, he said, “Now You let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, O Lord.” [SD]

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 mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of all pious and Orthodox Christians living and visiting in this city, the parishioners, the members of the Parish Council and every Ministry of this Parish, and the donors and benefactors of this holy church, and the servants of God [names] who celebrate this holy feast.

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

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious and kindly-disposed, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His own just threat hanging over us, and have mercy on us.

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

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

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

PRIEST

Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all those who live everywhere on earth and those far out at sea or in the air. Be gracious toward our sins, Master, and have mercy on us.

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. )

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, 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, bodiless Powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable and 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 the Teron, and Theodore the General, Menas the Wonderworker, the Hieromartyrs Haralambos and Eleftherios; 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; of our holy God-bearing Fathers; (local patron saint); the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all your Saints.

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls as a good and loving God.

PRIEST or: CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

PRIEST

Blessing of the Loaves.

Lord, Jesus Christ. our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city (or holy monastery), and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.

For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CLERGY

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (2) [SAAS]

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon 1. Grave Mode.

Decorate your bridal hall, O Zion, and welcome Christ the King. Greet Mary, the heavenly gate; for she became a cherubic throne. She holds the King of glory. The Virgin is the cloud of light, carrying her Son in the flesh, who is before the Morning. When Symeon took Him in his arms, he proclaimed to the people, that He is the Master of life and death, and the Savior of the world. [SD]

Idiomelon 2. Grave Mode.

Verse: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. [NKJV]

Before the ages, Christ the Lord shone forth from the Father, and lately He came from a Virgin’s womb. Of old He gave the Law on Mt. Sinai, and now He was obeying what the Law commanded. His Mother, who was a virgin, brought Him into the Temple and presented Him to Symeon the Priest, who was elderly and righteous, to whom it had been revealed that he would see the Messiah. When he took Him in his arms, Symeon greatly rejoiced and said, “This child is God, He is coeternal with the Father, and He is the Redeemer of our souls.” [SD]

Idiomelon 3. Grave Mode.

Verse: A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

The Lord who rides the chariot of cherubim and is praised in song by the seraphim became incarnate of Mary the Theotokos without conjugal union. He is the giver of the Law, and He fulfilled the order of the Law. His Mother carried Him in her arms and handed Him to the Priest. And he, as he was holding life, asked to be released from life, saying, “Master, let me go now, to tell Adam that I have seen as an infant the immutable, pre-eternal God and Savior of the world.” [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

He who rides upon the Cherubim, and who is extolled by the Seraphim, and who now according to the law is brought to the holy Temple, He is enthroned in the embraces of the Elder; and He as God receives the gifts offered by Joseph, a pair of turtledoves, as a figure of the spotless Church and the new-chosen people of the Gentiles; and two young pigeons, since He is the author of both Old and New Covenants. Symeon received the fulfillment of what had been prophesied to him; and in blessing Mary the Virgin Theotokos, he revealed to her the symbols of the Passion of the Son she had borne; and from Him he requests to be released, saying: Master, now You are dismissing me, even as You promised me; for I have seen You, the pre-eternal Light and the Savior Lord, O Christ, of the people named after You. [SD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon.

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

Trisagion Prayers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRIEST

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

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the One who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection. (3) [SD]

PRIEST

Let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

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

May He who condescended to be held in the arms of righteous Symeon, for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us.

( Amen. )