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Menaion - February 8

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

__________

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. 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]

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. N/M (You who were lifted.)

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

Christ’s triumphant athlete who is called great, and who is beloved by God and by Angels, yes, marvelous and glorious Theodore, today in the Holy Spirit brings gladness to all the holy churches under the sun; and he prompts everyone to celebrate his memory with joy. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Mode 4. N/M (Joseph marveled.)

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

In days of old on Mount Sinai, ⁄ Moses saw the back of God ⁄ and was counted worthy in darkness and a storm of wind ⁄ to hear faintly the divine voice. ⁄ But now Simeon has taken God in his arms, ⁄ Who for our sakes took flesh without change! ⁄ Joyfully he hastens to depart to the life eternal, ⁄ and therefore he cries aloud: ⁄⁄ Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace! [OCA]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1. N/M (The stone.)

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

You became an Infant for my sake, ⁄ You the treasure of the ages and the Life of all. ⁄ Having of old engraved the Law on stone tablets on Mount Sinai, ⁄ You have placed Yourself under the Law ⁄ that You might set all free from the ancient bondage to the Law. ⁄ Glory to your compassion, Savior! ⁄ Glory to Your Kingdom! ⁄⁄ Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of mankind! [OCA]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

You became an Infant for my sake, ⁄ You the treasure of the ages and the Life of all. ⁄ Having of old engraved the Law on stone tablets on Mount Sinai, ⁄ You have placed Yourself under the Law ⁄ that You might set all free from the ancient bondage to the Law. ⁄ Glory to your compassion, Savior! ⁄ Glory to Your Kingdom! ⁄⁄ Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of mankind! [OCA]

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]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. N/M (In seeking the heights.)

You put on the whole armor of faith with courage ⁄ and took the Word of God as a spear in your hand. ⁄ You conquered the enemy, Theodore, great among martyrs! ⁄⁄ Together with them, never cease to pray to Christ God for the sake of us all! [OCA]

Oikos.

Theodore, the splendid jewel of martyr athletes, is honored today. Come, O believers, and let us crown him with our hymns of praise. As his name means gift of God, so he was a great gift from God to the world, beaming with miracles. Since he defeated the enemy Belial by his venerable contests, now instead of blood he gushes a torrent of cures and healings. In all these things he rejoices in Christ, and he gives never-ending peace. Therefore we cry out to him: “Never cease interceding for the sake of us all.” [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On February 8 we commemorate the holy and glorious great martyr Theodore the General.

On this day we also commemorate the holy prophet Zachariah.

On this day the holy martyrs Nikephoros and Stephen died by the sword.

On this day Sts. Martha and Mary, the sisters, and the devout Lycarion the martyr, died by the sword.

On this day the contest of the holy martyrs Philadelphus and Polycarp.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Makarios, Bishop of Paphos.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Pergetus.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Τὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

O extol Him, who on the holy mountain * showed His glory, as Lord, * and in the bush with fire * revealed to Moses knowledge of the mystery * of the Ever-Virgin, supremely exalting Him 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 pl. 4.

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]

Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.

Σὲ τὴν ἀπειρόγαμον.

With unceasing hymns of praise we glorify and magnify you, * the unwedded Mother of the Most High God; * by a word you gave birth to the true God inexplicably, * and you are higher than the immaculate angelic hosts. [SD]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. 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]

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 2. N/M (Let us in faith.)

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

You fully quenched all the fiery darts of the wicked ⁄ together with the raging of the demons. ⁄ You died for your faith in the Creator, blessed Theodore; ⁄ as a witness to the truth you save all from every tribulation ⁄⁄ and from the malice of the evil one. [OCA]

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 4.

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.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (To a brave one.)

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

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

The Holy Spirit showed you to be a courageous athlete ⁄ and an invincible warrior! ⁄ You cast down the adversary with the wisdom of your words ⁄ and the enduring testimony of your deeds, O wise one. ⁄ Therefore you have received crowns of victory ⁄ and have been joined to the choirs on high, ⁄⁄ great martyr Theodore! [OCA]

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

The Holy Spirit showed you to be a courageous athlete ⁄ and an invincible warrior! ⁄ You cast down the adversary with the wisdom of your words ⁄ and the enduring testimony of your deeds, O wise one. ⁄ Therefore you have received crowns of victory ⁄ and have been joined to the choirs on high, ⁄⁄ great martyr Theodore! [OCA]

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

You were lifted up on the cross, ⁄ your flesh was torn and you were pierced with sharp arrows. ⁄ You were tormented by all the craft of the art of torture ⁄ and beheaded by the sword. ⁄ You were shown to be steadfast and invincible ⁄ through the power of Him Who was nailed to the Cross, ⁄⁄ Theodore, the glory of the martyrs! [OCA]

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

You were shown to be a pillar of godly devotion, most wealthy one, ⁄ for you despised the temples of the ungodly. ⁄ You were brought as a most perfect lamb, an acceptable sacrifice, ⁄ to the blameless One Who was sacrificed for your sake! ⁄ He has glorified your holy memory ⁄ and has given you to those that are in the world, ⁄⁄ as a treasury of miracles, Theodore. [OCA]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You piously wore the armor of athletic valor and rational worship, O medalist of Christ, by whose power you mightily lined up for battle. You disdained the tortures and the momentary fire, and thus you showed that the godlessness of the idols and the viciousness of the tyrant had no power over you. And now we entreat you, O Theodore, gift from God in name and deed: by your intercessions, save us who observe your memory from all adversity. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

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]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

READER

Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the 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 of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; 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. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRIEST

Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( Grant this, O Lord. )

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

( To You, O Lord. )

For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

( To You, O Lord. )

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.

PRIEST

For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Aposticha of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.

Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.

He who as Lord of all * and as the world’s Creator * contains all things in His hand, * is brought into the Temple in hands of Elder Symeon. [SD]

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]

Symeon, leap for joy, * and Anna, be exultant! * Behold, the world’s Redeemer * has finally appeared and is brought in as an newborn babe. [SD]

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

God-bearer Symeon, * in your embraces holding * the One who holds together * all things, you see salvation, * releasing you from death’s decay. [SD]

Glory. For the Martyr.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4.

You set yourself the task of martyrdom ⁄ and bravely opposed delusion, Theodore! ⁄ With your tongue of fiery eloquence ⁄ you put the inhumanity of Licinius to shame! ⁄ Therefore, as you now rejoice with the angels, blessed one, ⁄⁄ entreat Christ God that He may be merciful to us on the day of judgment! [OCA]

Both now. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Grave Mode.

O our Savior, You came from heaven as Light to bring revelation to the Gentiles. After You were born of the Virgin, your rested in the embraces of righteous Symeon. It was right that You, the Giver of life to all, should be recognized by the Elder, for You came to release him, according to Your word, O Lord who has great mercy. [SD]

PRIEST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]

READER

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. )

Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”

or:

Dismissal

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.

Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”

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

( Amen. )