Books - Sources

Menaion - February 2

Leave-taking of the Feast.

__________

MATINS

Matins Ordinary

PRIEST

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

READER

Amen.

PRIEST

Glory to You, our God. Glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, treasury of good things and giver of life: come; take Your abode in us; cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good one.

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.

READER

Amen.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

O awesome and unshamable Protection, O good and praiseworthy Theotokos, do not despise our petitions; make firm the community of the Orthodox; save those whom you have called to rule; grant them victory from heaven, for you gave birth to God and are truly blessed.

PRIEST

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 Elpidophoros.

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

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.

CHANTER

Amen. In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Glory to the holy and consubstantial and life-creating and undivided Trinity always, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

READER

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men. (3)

O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. (2)

Psalm 142 (143).

O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your righteousness; do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for no one living shall become righteous in Your sight. For the enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my life to the ground; he caused me to dwell in dark places as one long dead, and my spirit was in anguish within me; my heart was troubled within me. I remembered the days of old, and I meditated on all Your works; I meditated on the works of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me; turn not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, give me life; in Your righteousness You shall bring my soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Answer me in Your righteousness, O Lord. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant.

Your good Spirit shall guide me in the land of uprightness. [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.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God.

(intoned)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE LITANY OF PEACE

DEACON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (after each petition)

DEACON

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

For this sacred school, its president, deans, faculty, staff, and students; the trustees, benefactors, and alumni, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion 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]

Glory. 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]

From Menaion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

Mode 1.

You sanctified the womb of the Virgin by Your birth, and by Your presentation You blessed the hands of Symeon, when You came, and You saved us, O Christ our God. Now we pray You give peace to Your world at war, and let love for Your people prevail in all, O only benevolent Lord. [GOASD]

Oikos.

To the Theotokos let us run, we who wish to see her Son be presented to Symeon. From heaven, the bodiless watched in amazement and said, “What we see now is marvelous, paradoxical, inconceivable, inexpressible! He who made Adam is held as a babe. Uncontainable God fits in the Elder’s embrace. He, who without circumscription exists in His Father’s bosom, is circumscribed, not in divinity, but physically, willingly, the only benevolent Lord.” [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On February 9, we commemorate the holy Martyr Nikephoros.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Romanos of Cilicia.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs: Marcellus, Bishop fo Sicily; Philagrios, Bishop of Cyprus; and Pancratios, Bishop of Tavromenium.

On this day the holy Hieromartyr Peter of Damascus died by the sword.

By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

CHOIR

Ode viii. Katavasia. Mode 3.

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.

Megalynaria. Mode 3.

Angels and the human race cannot fully understand * what has taken place in you, Lady, virgin Mother pure. [GOASD]

Aged Symeon the priest, in his arms embraces You, * the Creator of the Law and the Ruler over all. [GOASD]

Blessed Maiden, Virgin pure, the Creator wished to save * Adam and the human race, so He dwelt inside your womb. [GOASD]

Come now all humanity, call the virgin Maiden blessed! * Glorify her faithfully, as the Mother of our God! [GOASD]

Dear believers, come and see Christ our God, the Lord of all, * in the Temple held today in the arms of Symeon. [GOASD]

Earth is made to tremble when You but look upon it, Lord. * How then can a weary, old man contain You in his arms? [GOASD]

For so long had Symeon lived until he saw the Christ. * Then he said to Him, “I pray, let me now depart in peace.” [GOASD]

Gracious Mary, you conceived in your womb the Savior Christ. * Thus you are the mystical tongs that held the burning coal. [GOASD]

Holy, pre-eternal God, willing You became a man. * To the Temple You were brought as a babe of forty days. [GOASD]

In His love for man, the Lord of the universe came down * from the heavens and was met by St. Symeon the priest. [GOASD]

From Menaion - - -

Ode ix. Heirmos.

Ἐν νόμῳ σκιᾷ.

Lord, illumine both my soul and the vision of my eyes * so that I may clearly see and proclaim that You are God. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

Mary, virgin Mother pure, why do you present the babe * in the Temple and you lay Him into Symeon’s arms? [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

Troparia.

Now I pray to You, my Lord and Creator, that You let * me depart, for I have seen You, my saving light, O Christ.

A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons, were required before. * And now the godly Elder and the chaste prophetess Anna * are ministering to the Virgin’s infant, the Father’s Son, * as He is brought and presented in the Temple; and they magnify Him. [GOASD]

On the earth now Symeon holds in his embrace the Lord, * whom the ministers on high serve with trembling and entreat.

A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons, were required before. * And now the godly Elder and the chaste prophetess Anna * are ministering to the Virgin’s infant, the Father’s Son, * as He is brought and presented in the Temple; and they magnify Him. [GOASD]

Glory.

Guard Your servants, who believe and confess You to be God, * one in nature, Trinity in divine hypostases.

Symeon said, “You have restored to me the joy of Your salvation, O Christ. * I Your servant, who am old and weary of the shadow, * pray You now to receive me * as a new disciple and sacred herald of Your grace, * as I sing Your praise and magnify You.” [GOASD]

Both now.

Theotokos, as the hope of us Christians, one and all, * guard and shelter and protect those who put their hope in you.

The chaste and devout and elderly Anna, * coming up in the Temple inspired by God, explicitly explained the prophecies * and with sacred reverence gave thanks to the Master. * And to all who were there she proclaimed * the Theotokos and magnified her. [GOASD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 3.

Theotokos, as the hope of us Christians, one and all, * guard and shelter and protect those who put their hope in you.

In the shadow and the letter of the Law, * we the faithful perceive the decree: * Consecrate to God every male, the first-born opening the womb. * Now the unoriginate Father’s first-born Logos and Son * is also first-born of a virgin Mother, and we magnify Him. [SD]

PRIEST

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( Lord, have mercy. )

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

( To You, O Lord. )

For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. 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]

CHOIR

Aposticha. For the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You have given.

Ἔδωκας σημείωσιν.

He who is benevolent fulfills the Law that was writ of old* and is brought to the Temple now.* And elderly Symeon heartily receives Him* in his old embraces,* and cries, You now let me depart* unto the blessedness of eternity.* Today I laid my eyes on You who now have put on our mortal flesh,* and I know You, O Lord my God,* as the Master of life and death. [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]

Light for revelation of the Gentiles, You have appeared, O Lord,* even sitting upon a swift* and light cloud, the virgin Maid,* as the Sun of Justice,* and You thus completed* the shadow of the Law of old* and manifested the start of the new grace.* And therefore elder Symeon, when he beheld You, cried out and said,* From corruption release me now,* for today I have seen You, Lord. [SD]

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

Never separated from the Father’s bosom in divinity,* and incarnated as You willed,* and held in the holy arms * of the Ever-Virgin,* You who hold all things in Your hand were given to the hands* of the divine God-receiver Symeon.* And therefore full of joy he cried to You, O Master, With my own eyes,* I Your servant have seen You, Lord;* now You let me depart in peace. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

O Christ God, who on this day was well pleased to recline in the elder’s hands, as on a chariot of cherubim, call us back who extol You, and deliver us from the tyranny of the passions, and save our souls. [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. Both now and ever 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. Both now and ever 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. [SD]

Glory. 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 Epistle

Friday of the 31st Week

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

READER

Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 67.

God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

Verse: Bless God in the churches. [SAAS]

PRIEST

Wisdom.

READER

The reading is from the Universal Letter of James.

PRIEST

Let us be attentive.

READER

Jas. 2:1-13

Brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while you say to the poor man, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you, is it not they who blaspheme the honorable name which was invoked over you? If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” said also, “Do not kill.” If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. [RSV]

PRIEST

Peace be with you the reader.

CHOIR

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

Friday of the 14th Week of Luke

PRIEST

Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.

Peace be with all.

( And with your spirit. )

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Let us be attentive.

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

Mk. 10:24-32

The Lord said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for these who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.” And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. [RSV]

CHOIR

Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

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 School, and this city, to the ages of ages.

( Amen. )

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. )