Books - Sources

Menaion Supplement - February 6

Memory of St. Photios the Great

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 4.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 4.

Resembling the Apostles in way of life, O Photios, the teacher of the universe, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Resembling the Apostles in way of life, O Photios, the teacher of the universe, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Both now.

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. [SD]

PRIEST

Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( To You, O Lord. )

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

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Behold, the vernal joy of my soul has arisen; * for on this day the bright memory of the blessed * and knowledgeable hierarch and saint Photius is here observed. * Therefore let us all for him sing hymns and extol him; * by the Spirit’s might * he reinforced and supported * the Faith of the Orthodox. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 1. Automelon.

Χορὸς ἀγγελικός.

In heaven be amazed by the wonder, O Angels; * with voices cry aloud a divine hymn, O mortals,* beholding the ineffable condescension of God to us.* For now Symeon holds in his aged embraces * Him before whom stand the hosts of heaven and tremble,* the only benevolent Lord. [SD]

Kathisma II.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 3. Your confession.

Θείας πίστεως.

In possession of divine effulgence, * you adorned yourself with godly living; * like your name, so in your priesthood you shone with light. * For by explaining the dogmas so wonderfully * you reinforced the divine Faith with Orthodoxy, * Father Photios, beseech Christ our God fervently, * entreating that He grant us His great mercy. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

The One who is upon the holy throne with the Father, * has come upon the earth and was born of a Virgin. * An infant has He become who by years is uncircumscribed. * And when Symeon in his embraces received Him, * he rejoiced and said, You made me glad, now release me, * Your servant, O compassionate Lord. [SD]

Kathisma III.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

O holy Hierarch and divine theologian, * the Church’s luminous expounder and teacher, * you irrigate the minds of the believers with grace, * but you inundate the minds of heretical thinkers. * With the grace of miracles that you pour out you truly * expunge the stain of passions of all kind, * O holy Father, all-glorious Photios. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

Now the Ancient of Days becomes an infant for me. * And the most pure God now shares purification with me, * to show that truly He assumed my flesh from the Virgin. * And Symeon was led to know the mystery * and recognized as God the one he saw in the flesh. * And he embraced and kissed Him as life itself, * and he rejoiced as an elder and cried aloud, * Let me depart now, for I have seen You, * O Lord, the life of all things. [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. Psalm 48.

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding. (2)

Verse: Hear this, all you nations; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world.

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart, understanding. [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. 10:1-9

The Lord said to the Jews who had come to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” [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]

Menaion Supplement - - -

CHOIR

Glory. Mode 2.

At the intercession of Your holy Hierarch, 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 father, and you became a shepherd 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, 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; our Father among the Saints Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople, the Equal to the Apostles and Confessor, 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. )

Menaion Supplement - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode pl. 4. O Champion General.

The luminary of the Church that is most radiant, * the God-inspired guide and teacher of the Orthodox * now be honored with our songs as if with a garland. * To the Holy Spirit’s instrument that speaks from God, * and the vehement opponent of all heresy * let cry aloud: Rejoice, all-honored Photios. [SD]

Oikos.

Attaining to heaven from earth, holy Father, you were shown to be an angel of human origin. Therefore, as I see you strive to join the bodiless hosts, O righteous man, I am amazed, and with longing I reverently shout these salutations: [SD]

Rejoice, through whom the Trinity is worshipped. Rejoice, through whom our God is lauded.

Rejoice, the straightest rule of the Orthodox. Rejoice, the strongest reproof of transgressors.

Rejoice, height of humility, which for most is hard to ascend. Rejoice, depth of discernment, which for mortals is hard to apprehend.

Rejoice, for you were a divine priest of God. Rejoice, for you offer God many who were saved.

Rejoice, for you dwell with God’s holy Martyrs. Rejoice, for you live with the devout and righteous.

Rejoice, through you deposed are the impious. Rejoice, through you the faithful are established.

Rejoice, all-honored Photios.

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

On February 6, we commemorate our father among the saints Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople, the Peer of the Apostles and Confessor.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Boukolos, Bishop of Smyrna.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Julian of Emesa.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Fausta, Evilasios, and Maximus.

We also commemorate our devout and God-bearing fathers Barsanouphios the Great Elder, and John who was known as the Prophet.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save 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 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

Exaposteilarion.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

The Church obtained you as her strong * protector and most ardent help, * illustrious teacher, Father; * and therefore she is festively * observing your memorial. * And crying out she says to you: * “Since you are the Lord’s Hierarch, * preserve your flock uninjured * from heresy and affliction.” [SD]

For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. Automelon.

Ἐν Πνεύματι τῷ Ἱερῷ.

The Elder in the Temple stood * and inspired by the Spirit * received the Master of the Law * into his own embraces, * and cried aloud, “Now release me * from the bondage of the flesh * in peace, according to Your word. * For I have seen with my own eyes * the revelation of the Gentiles and the salvation of Israel.” [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]

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 Saint.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

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

With hymns of praise let us honor the Church’s truly divine * great Hierarch and shepherd * and magnificent Teacher, * admirable preacher of God the Word, * peer of Apostles, Saint Photios. * Indeed today is his glorious sacred feast * and memorial, which gladdens all. [SD]

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

You were a vessel of virtues, being a friend of peace, * a worker of divine love, * and a safe house of prayer, * O blessed one, a pillar of self-restraint, * and of healings a treasure chest, * an intercessor to God on behalf of those * who now honor you, O Photios. [SD]

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

You have now joined the Apostles, as the Apostles’ peer. * For Bulgaria truly * and for all Slavic nations * you were the divine preacher of the Word; * and you brought them to Christ our God, * through holy baptism regenerating them. * Keep them Orthodox forevermore. [SD]

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

The Luciferian pontiff became severely puffed up * and set his throne unjustly * above the stars in heaven. * You, O holy Photios, were the first * who, like Michael, cried out with zeal: * “Let us stand well! Let us all stand in the divine * traditions of the holy Fathers!” [SD]

Glory.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 1.

Wherever your name is invoked, O namesake of light, the power of the devil is driven away. For he cannot bear to stand in your light, the fallen Lucifer that he is. We therefore beg you to extinguish the fiery arrows that he shoots against us, and by your mediation to deliver us from the scandals he sets, O praiseworthy Hierarch Photios. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

Menaion Supplement - - -

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]

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.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 4.

Resembling the Apostles in way of life, O Photios, the teacher of the universe, intercede with the Master of all, to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls. [SD]