Books - Sources

Triodion

On Saturday of Cheese Week Morning

Memory of the Holy Ascetics

__________

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.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 4.

O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 4.

O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

As we are shined on by the lightning of the fathers, * as if we enter now a most delightful garden, * let us fully enjoy the river of Your delight. * With wonder we view the excellence of their deeds * and virtues, so let us strive to emulate them. * Let us pray to the Savior, “By their intercessions, O God, * account us worthy to become * the partakers of Your kingdom and rule.” [SD]

Glory. Same Melody.

Let us with one voice now extol those great monastics, * St. Paul their chief, and most wise Anthony, and also * Saint Efthymius, and the rest of the Fathers. * And let us entreat them all, so that they will pray * unceasingly unto Christ on behalf of us * who observe their divine and most resplendent memory today, * while singing songs to glorify * God our Savior, the Lord of all. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

We ever thank you, O all-holy Theotokos, * and magnify you the all-pure one; and we worship * and extol your divine Son, Maiden highly favored. * All-merciful Virgin, therefore we cry aloud * unceasingly praying, Save us, since you are good. * Snatch me out from the frightening * examination of accounts * by demons in the hour of trial. * May we your servants not be ashamed. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. O Life of all, You rose.

Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.

Come all, let us extol all the God-bearing Fathers, * Saint Anthony the Great and Efthymius also, * and all the rest, and let us observe their holy memory festively. * For they make intercession unto the Lord on behalf of the whole world, * that we be freed from the ancestral curse * and rescued from perdition. [SD]

Glory.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

As we remember the God-bearing great Ascetics, * it is like walking in a meadow full of flowers * of their virtues, that fill us with their sweetest fragrance. * They struggled and thus temptations were overcome. * Their bodies became their servants through self-control * and submitted to the spirit. And as they dwelt here on earth * they were living an angelic life. * They were worthily glorified. [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.

Τὸ προσταχθέν.

Being implored by the earnest intercessions * of all Your bodiless angelic hosts, the Prophets, * the Disciples, the Forerunner and the holy Martyrs, * and all the devout Monastics and all Your Saints, * Your good ever-virgin Mother, O Christ, to us * grant to walk in Your light, and also count us worthy to obtain * Your uncreated kingdom and rule, * in Your mercy and tender love. [SD]

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 Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. O Planter of creation.

O Lord, you made the host of God-bearing Saints shine as preachers of godliness and silencers of godlessness, and they lit up the entire earth. By their entreaties, preserve us in peace, as we glorify and magnify You and chant and sing to You: Alleluia. [SD]

Oikos.

I observed the delights of earthly life, and considered what goes on in peoples’ minds; and I weighed their pain, and I deemed their life unhappy. Only you did I call blessed, you Saints who chose the good portion, to suffer with Christ and remain with Him, and ever sing with the Prophet David: Alleluia. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On March 16 we commemorate the holy Martyr Sabine of Egypt.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Papas.

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

On this day Saint John of Rufinianae died in peace.

On this day the holy Martyr Romanos of Parium died by the sword.

On this day the holy Ten Martyrs of Phoenicia died by the sword.

On this day Saint Alexandrion, Pope fo Rome, died in peace.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Aninas the Wonder-worker.

On this day, we also commemorate our devout father Christodoulos the Wonder-worker, who lived in asceticism in the holy Monastery of John the Theologian, where his precious relic also lies.

From the Triodion.

On the Saturday of Cheese-fare week, we commemorate all the holy men and women who excelled in asceticism.

Verses

I offer these words as an abiding libation

to the souls of the Righteous whose memory abides forever.

By the intercessions of all Your monastic Saints, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Saturday of Cheese Week

Ode i. Mode pl. 4.

O ye people, let us raise a song to our God who works wonders, for He set Israel free from bondage; and with a hymn of victory let us cry aloud: ‘Let us sing to Thee, our only Master.’ [KW]

Ode ii.

See now, see that I am your God, before all ages begotten from the Father, and in the last times conceived without man by the Virgin: and I have destroyed the sin of Adam the forefather in My love for mankind. [KW]

Ode iii.

No one is holy like You are, O Lord, and no one is righteous like You our God. All creation extols You. No one is holy except for You, O Lord. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

The Prophet understood that You would be incarnate * from the Theotokos when he had considered * with divine vision, O Logos, the shaded mountain. * Afraid, he glorified Your power, O Lord. [GOASD]

Ode v.

Deliver me, I pray, from the dark night of the passions, and enable my spirit, O Christ, to seek Thee early in the morning, guided by the light of Thy commandments. [KW]

Ode vi.

Held fast by many sins, I fall down like the Prophet before Thy tender mercies. Accept me also in Thy love for mankind, O Lord, and save me. [KW]

Ode vii.

Thou hast refreshed the Children with dew in the furnace, and Thou hast preserved Thy Mother as a Virgin after childbirth: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers. [KW]

Ode viii.

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. [GOASD]

The Patriarchal Typikon indicates, as usual, that the entire canon be sung. Typically in parishes only the Katavasias are chanted. Ode ix is presented in its entirety, for the enrichment and edification of both singers and listeners. Since this Saturday of Cheesefare week is not a great feast, Ode ix is, as usual, preceded by the Magnificat.

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. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

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. [GOASD]

Ode ix. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Τὸν προδηλωθέντα.

Let us sing to Him who to Moses of old prefigured * in the burning bush the childbirth of ever-virgin Mary, * for the salvation of us the believers. * Let us magnify Him with unceasing hymns. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Who can describe the boldness of Ambrose? Who can recount the wisdom of Hierotheos, and the steadfastness with which the Alexanders struggled in defence of the faith? [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise the divine Phaidimos and God-bearing Spyridon, Antipatros, Pambo, Palladios and Nonnos, with Jerome and all­ honoured Germanos: for they are shining lights of God. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us honour Dionysios, great in the knowledge of God, initiate of the heavenly mysteries, and Clement, who laboured much, with Flavian and Paul the Great, the heralds of the faith. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise Michael of Synada and Tarasios, Nikephoros and illustrious Theodore, with Theophanes and Jerome, the defenders of the ikons of Christ. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let praise be given to Peter and Ignatios, who in very truth bore God in their hearts, the apostles of Christ who suffered for His sake, and also to Polycarp and Cyprian the martyr of the Lord. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

O holy fathers and hierarchs of the Lord, martyr priests and bishops, and women saints, all those whom we have named and all whose names we do not know: pray for the salvation of our souls. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

As ye rejoice, O martyrs, in the heavenly mansions of the glory of the Lord, with the choir of the apostles, pray to the Creator for all of us on earth. [KW]

Glory.

O God, one in three, glory be to Thee without ceasing. Each is God, for Father, Son and Spirit are one in Nature, though threefold and distinct in the splendour of their Persons. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

The bush which burned with fire and yet was not consumed, that Moses saw of old upon Mount Sinai, was a foreshadowing of thy womb, O Virgin, which received the pure fire of the Godhead. [KW]

Katavasia. Mode pl. 4.

Let us sing to Him who to Moses of old prefigured * in the burning bush the childbirth of ever-virgin Mary, * for the salvation of us the believers. * Let us magnify Him with unceasing hymns. [SD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 2. O Women, hearken.

Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.

All you who had renounced the world * and who had taken up the Cross, * O holy monastic Fathers, * and you the choirs of Martyrs, * assemblage of the Hierarchs, and company of women Saints, * you make us bright and full of joy * that we may worthily praise you * and your all-resplendent memory. [SD]

Another.

Mode 2. Let us in faith.

Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.

Come let us splendidly extol * those who were great Ascetics, * and the most holy Hierarchs, * and the God-bearing Fathers, * and praise the all-honored choirs * of noble Hieromartyrs, * also the righteous women Saints, * so that we might be sanctified and may run * and with ease complete the course of the great Fast, * by intercessions of the Saints * and of the Theotokos. [SD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 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.

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

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. (not metered)

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

All believers, let us praise in song the great company of the Fathers. Brethren, let us with a godly mind and singleness of soul extol the Hierarchs of Christ. For they lived in self-control and pure fasting, and they made the Gospel of Christ known to all of us. Let us also sing the praises of the God-bearing and illustrious Women, and wholeheartedly and piously aspire to their way of life, so that in the next life we may obtain the forgiveness of sins. [SD]

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

Brethren, let us gloriously extol those who shined splendidly in asceticism and lived in devout monasticism. And let us worthily honor those who lived well and who piously moved to eternal life with joy, to that indestructible and blessed destination in the next life. Through virtue and decorum they went straight there. By their prayers, may we receive mercy from God, eternal glory and joy, and may we be delivered from unavoidable punishment in the next life. [SD]

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

We implore you, Hierarchs and Righteous, Ascetics, men and women Monastics, all you who lived piously in grace. Entreat our all-compassionate Lord, who alone is good, to have mercy on us. By your prayers, O wise Saints, may we ever be delivered from condemnation in the next life, so that we may continually enjoy the future delights, forever and ever, greatly rejoicing and unceasingly shouting hymns of praise to the Giver of Life. [SD]

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

O believers, let us hold a lavish celebration today, worthy of God, for the memory of the Saints, the Ascetics and Hieromartyrs and devout women Monastics. For they truly disdained things corruptible and temporary, and they considered them as mere cobwebs and rubbish, so that they might obtain Christ and His kingdom and those divine things which eye has not seen nor ear ever heard. By their intercessions, O God, deliver our souls from destruction. [SD]

Glory. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Devout Fathers, the proclamation of your achievements went forth into all the earth. For your labors you found the reward in heaven. You destroyed the arrays of demons, and you attained to the orders of the Angels, whose lifestyle you emulated blamelessly. Since you have confidence before the Lord, ask Him to grant peace to our souls. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 2.

Theotokos, you are the true vine that produced the fruit of life. Lady, we fervently entreat you to intercede along with the devout ones and all the saints, that our souls be treated mercifully. [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.

From Triodion - - -

Mode 4.

O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]