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Menaion - February 8

Memory of the Holy Great-martyr Theodore the General; and the Holy Prophet Zacharias.

__________

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 Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

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

Rejoice, O holy soldier of Christ! * You roundly routed the front line of the enemy, * the true faith being your armor, supporting those who believe. * With the many tortures that you underwent, * you purchased the heavenly kingdom of God, O St. Theodore. * As you rejoice there, having truly been deified * by participation, and glowing with gifts of grace, * pray for us and remember us * who honor your glorious * commemoration and reverence the reliquary that holds your bones, * which now is a source of * health and vigor and great mercy to those who ask with faith. [SD]

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

Rejoice! O sacred head, we salute * the holy firstfruits of victorious Martyrs Saints. * The foe was by you defeated. The Church by you is adorned. * You were aptly named for gifts that come from God. * With miracles, you give light to the earth like a shining lamp. * You, like a pillar that is great, were unshaken by * countless painful tortures the you were submitted to. * You killed the dragon with your great * endurance as with a sword, * and you excelled as a soldier, for you remained undefeatable. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to our souls. [SD]

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

Armed with the holy life-bearing Cross, * you smashed the idols of the pagans and scattered them. * And therefore you were subjected to whipping, stretched on the rack. * You were mutilated, beaten to a pulp. * They torched you, all-blessed one. They impaled you with sharpened stakes. * They crucified you, and you bravely endured it all. * And they blinded you, when by force they plucked out your eyes. * Therefore we call you blessed now, * for you have competed well * and were awarded the medals and crowns from heaven, O Theodore. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to our souls. [SD]

For the Prophet.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. N/M (What…to call you.)

Τί ὑμᾶς καλέσωμεν.

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

You possessed a life equal to that of the angels ⁄ and plainly conversed with them, divinely manifest one. ⁄ You illumined your mind with things beyond understanding: ⁄ The purity of wonderful images, ⁄ the revelation of great mysteries, ⁄ prophetic proclamation and spiritual renewal! ⁄⁄ Pray that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

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

You were shown to be an earthly angel, ⁄ having heavenly companions while yet on earth! ⁄ You were a beholder of heavenly visions, ⁄ a spiritual beacon and a radiant light, ⁄ a fruitful olive tree, as proclaimed by the psalm, ⁄ which in a godly way pours oil upon the righteous. ⁄⁄ Pray that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

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

You enjoyed the deification you desired, ⁄ partaking clearly of everlasting delight. ⁄ You behold ineffable glory, ⁄ adorned with crowns of beauty as a most true prophet of God! ⁄ Pray for those who earnestly sing hymns to you, God-pleaser, ⁄⁄ that our souls may be saved! [OCA]

Glory. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

The solemn memory of the medaled Martyr of Christ has risen today, brighter than the Morning Star. It breaks forth and illumines the hearts of the believers, by the action and grace of the Spirit, as it drives away the clouds that darken souls. Come, O fans of the Martyrs, let us salute him and say, “Rejoice, O blessed Theodore! In accordance with your name, you are a gift of God’s grace to the faithful, and you share your many miracles with those who come to you. Never cease to intercede with Christ, that we who faithfully celebrate your most solemn memory may obtain the eternal blessings.” [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

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]

(No Entrance)

Stand for the hymn.

READER

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. 1.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power. (2) [SAAS]

Verse: O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power.

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. )

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 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. )

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 1. N/M (O Christ, as it is written.)

Τριήμερος ἀνέστης.

Simeon, take up the Creator of all in your arms! ⁄ Elder, take up Christ to Whom the Virgin Maiden gave birth without seed ⁄⁄ for the joy of mankind! [OCA]

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]

Let us assemble, people, and let us hymn the only Benefactor: ⁄ The Giver of the law, the Creator and God of the law ⁄ before Whom the ranks of angels tremble, ⁄⁄ for the salvation of our souls! [OCA]

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

Master, now let Your servant depart in peace ⁄ according to Your word, ⁄ for I have beheld You, Christ, ⁄ the pre-eternal Light of revelation for the gentiles and for Israel ⁄⁄ Who has bound me in the bonds of the flesh. [OCA]

Glory. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Faithful, let us fittingly bless the great and noble martyr Theodore, ⁄ for he is the namesake of the gifts of God ⁄ and the heir of His blessedness; ⁄⁄ the champion of the world who prays to God for us! [OCA]

Both now. For the Feast.

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. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You who were lifted.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

O medal-winner, you were duly enlisted * and highly decorated as a commander, * O Theodore, in service to the heavenly King. * Armed with faith, you prudently went to war and combated, * and you vanquished utterly the arrays of the demons. * O Martyr Athlete, evermore with faith * we count you blessed, for you were victorious. [SD]

Glory. For the Prophet.

Mode 2.

As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Zacharias through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save 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]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST

Wisdom.

( Father, bless! )

Blessed are You, Christ our God, always now and forever and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. )

HIERARCH or READER

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

( Amen. )

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. )