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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]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 16. Then the short litany.

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]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 17. Then the short litany.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II.

CHOIR

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]

CHOIR

The Canon

Ode i. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Ἆσμα ἀναπέμψωμεν.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

With one accord let us all praise in spiritual songs our divine Fathers, who were renowned for their ascetic life in Egypt, the Thebaid and Libya, in every place and city and land. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Rejoice, Antony the first leader of monks, famous in all the world; and God-bearing Ammoun, the glory of fasting; Arsenios the earthly angel, endued with the power of silence; and Ammonas, bearer of the Spirit. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Be glad, Agathon, sanctified in soul, true vessel of God, with Achilles and Ammois, the flowers of the desert; be glad also, Anoub and Alonios, Amonathas and Anthimos, shining pearls of virtue. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Today let us sing in praise of Aris and Apollos the Great, the lamps of discernment, of Athry and Akakios, the bright torches of obedience; and with them Avvakyris also shines as the morning star. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Avxentios was a mountain in his exalted way of life; Avramios the Great excelled in purity; Aphrodisios and Athenodoros were pillars of abstinence. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Ammonios shines among the ascetics as a star in heaven, along with divine Aninas; and with them shines also Antiochos the Great and Agapitos the renowned. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise in sacred hymns the great Athanasios who practised the ascetic life on Mount Athos, and became a shining light to the whole inhabited earth; and by his prayers we all are saved. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

O wise and blessed Fathers, through your lives inspired by God, ye have become in very truth a Paradise of the Church. Intercede continually before the Lord for each of us by name. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

Come, ye faithful who love the martyrs, let us honour them year by year with our songs and hymns, and cry aloud with faith to Christ our God: ‘Let us sing to Thee, our only Master.’ [KW]

Glory.

I sing the praises of three Persons truly existing in one Nature, the Father unbegotten, the Son begotten and the Holy Spirit: sovereignty and power without beginning, a single Godhead. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Rejoice, all-holy Temple, Fleece on which the dew of God has fallen, sealed Fountain of the waters of immortality. Keep thy flock, O Lady, safe from the attacks of every enemy. [KW]

Heirmos.

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.’

(read)

READER

Ode Two

Glory to You, our God; glory to You!

Take heed, O heaven, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. [SAAS]

Let my proverbial saying be awaited as the rain, and let my words come down as raindrops on the wild grass, and as snowfall on the sown grass.

For I invoke the Lord’s name: ascribe greatness to our God.

He is God, His works are true; and all His ways are judgment.

A faithful God and without injustice; righteous and holy is the Lord.

They sinned; the blameworthy children are not His, a generation twisted and perverse. Is this how you repay the Lord?

O foolish and unwise people, is He not your Father, who acquired you? Has He not made and created you?

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.

Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will tell you:

When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the nations by the number of God’s angels.

For the Lord’s portion became the people of Jacob; the allotment of His inheritance is Israel.

He provided for him in the desert, in thirst of heat in a waterless place. He encircled him; He instructed him; He guarded him carefully as the apple of His eye.

As an eagle covers its nest, yearns after its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its back.

So the Lord alone led them, and there was no foreign god with them.

He raised them on the strength of the land; He fed them on the produce of the fields.

He suckled them on honey from the rock and oil from the solid rock.

Butter of oxen and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs and goats, of sons of bulls and goats, with the choicest wheat; and you drank wine, the blood of grapes.

So Jacob ate and was filled, and the beloved kicked; he grew fat, he grew thick, he is obese. Then he forsook God who made him and stood back from God his Savior.

They provoked Me to wrath against foreign gods; with their abominations they embittered Me.

They sacrificed to demons, and not to God, to gods they did not know; new ones, recent gods arrived, which their fathers did not know.

You abandoned the God who begot you, and forgot the God who nourished you.

So the Lord saw it, and was jealous; and He was provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.

Then He said, I will turn My face from them, and I will make known what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faith.

They provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they moved Me to anger by their idols; but I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.

For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest Hades; it shall consume the land with its produce And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

I will gather evils on them; I will spend My arrows on them.

They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by birds and incurable disease; I will also send against them the teeth of wild animals With the anger of things crawling on the earth.

The sword shall make them childless outside, and fear from the inner chambers, for the young man and virgin, the nursing child with the elder of gray hairs.

I said, I will scatter them; I will make their memory cease from among men.

But for the wrath of the enemy, lest they live long, lest their adversary make a joint attack.

Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; and it is not the Lord who did all this.”

For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there understanding in them. They were not wise to understand these things.

Let them be concerned for the coming time.

How could one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight unless God had sold them, and the Lord delivered them up?

For our God is not like their gods, but our enemies are foolish.

For their vineyard is of the vineyard of Sodom, and their vine is of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall; their clusters are bitter.

Their wine is the wrath of serpents, and the incurable wrath of asps.

Behold, is this not laid up in store with Me, sealed up among My treasures?

I shall repay on the day of vengeance; in time, when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and is waiting, ready for them.

For the Lord will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants.

For He sees them disabled and left in distress and weakened.

The Lord said, ‘Where are their gods in which they trusted?’

Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise and help you and be your defender.

Now see, I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hands.

For I raise My hand to heaven, and I swear by My right hand, and say, “As I live forever.”

For I whet My sword like lightning; and My hand takes hold on judgment. I will render vengeance on My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.

I will make My arrows drunk from blood; and My sword shall devour flesh from the blood of the slain and the captives, from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.

Rejoice, O Heavens, together with Him, and worship Him, all the sons of God.

Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; and let all the angels of God be strong with Him; for He will avenge the blood of His sons and render vengeance to His adversaries; and the Lord will purify His people’s land. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Ode ii. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Ἴδετε ἴδετε.ὁ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Entering now a second Paradise, we are filled with the fragrance of the divinely-planted virtues of the holy ascetics, which they have caused to flower through abstinence and tears, offering to God as fruit their many different ways of life. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Like an angel was the great Vissarion who lived as the birds of heaven; a second Job was Benjamin in his constancy; Vitalios was a watch-fire that saved the harlots for God. And with them let us also praise divine Vitymios and glorious Vavylas. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

O Benedict, thou hast become a citizen of heaven through thy holy way of life. The shepherd Vasianos was a dwelling-place of wisdom; and Basil won the crown of obedience, for he dwelt within a tomb while still alive, revealing to us the glory of submission. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us sing in honour of Gelasios, renowned master of the passions. Let us praise Gerasimos, whom the wild beasts obeyed, submitting to him because of the perfection of his virtues. Glory be to our father Germanos and to Gaios the wise servant of Christ. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise David, the veneration and glory of Thessalonica, and Daniel, chosen by God, great in miracles; and with them Daniel of Scetis, Dios and Dalmatos, true leaders of monks and pillars of the faith. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Because of their obedience, Dometianos and Dometios, the wise in God, shine upon us as two beacons more brightly than stars. And let us also praise and glorify all those whose names we do not know. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

The tombs of the martyrs, who suffered for the Lord’s sake, are an inexhaustible source of blessing to the faithful. Come, let us honour them with songs, and by faith receive healing for our souls and bodies. [KW]

Glory.

Unity in three Persons, supreme in Godhead and surpassing all perfection, Father unbegotten, Son only-begotten, Spirit proceeding from the Father and made manifest through the Son: single in Essence and in Nature, one Lordship and one Kingdom, save us all. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Thou alone hast borne a Child in a way unknown to mankind; thou alone wast not subject to the corruption that comes from nature, for uncorrupted and without seed thou hast undergone childbirth. Therefore, as is right, pure Virgin, in faith we glorify thee as the Theotokos. [KW]

Katavasia.

Ode iii. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Οὔκ ἐστιν ἅγιος.

None is holy as the Lord, and none is righteous as our God, whom all creation praises: none is holy save Thee, O Lord who lovest mankind. [KW]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us enter a second Paradise, full of the virtues of the Holy Fathers. Let us taste with joy the living and lifegiving fruits which grow there, and with faith let us sing their praises. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us honour Evthymios, the brightest of stars, and Helladios, bringer of the morn, with Ephraim inspired by God, and Evlogios the Great. By their works and wonders they have shone to the ends of the earth. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let praise be sung to Zosimas the wonderful and to the all-honoured Zachariah, to Zeno and Zoilos; and let us honour with them Isaiah the Great and Elijah the glorious. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

I praise holy Theodore of Therme and illustrious Theodore of Ennaton, with Theodoulas and Theonas; and I honour blessed Theodosios the Great. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Praise be to Theoktistos, the righteous shepherd, to Thalassios, whose mind dwelt in heaven, to the great Theodore of Sykeon, who was exalted upon earth by signs and wonders. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

John the Short, John of the Ladder, and the many other saints named John, shine like the stars with glory. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

O ye who love to gather for the feasts, let us honour year by year with hymns and spiritual songs the memory of the holy martyrs: for they intercede with Christ continually on behalf of all mankind. [KW]

Glory.

Consubstantial Trinity, Unity supreme in Godhead, distinct in Persons yet single in Nature, unite us in the one will of Thy commandments. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Tabernacle formed by God, overshadowed by the seraphim, Moses depicted thee prophetically, O Virgin, when he spoke of the Holy of Holies, thus prefiguring thine undefiled childbirth by which Christ became incarnate. [KW]

Heirmos.

None is holy as the Lord, and none is righteous as our God, whom all creation praises: none is holy save Thee, O Lord who lovest mankind.

Ode 3: Short Litany

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are our God, and to You we 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

Kathisma.

From Triodion - - -

Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Mother of God, in thy womb.

Let us glorify the gentleness and purity of Antony, the great wonders of Evthymios, the solitude and quiet of Paul and Arsenios, the renown of Theoktistos and of all the other holy monks. And with them let us praise in hymns the virgin Evpraxia with all the women wise in God, and let us cry aloud with one accord: Intercede with Christ our God, that those who celebrate with love your holy memory may receive forgiveness of their sins. [KW]

Glory. Another.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Mother of God, in thy womb.

Ye have broken asunder the bonds of the passions and with strong desire ye have pursued holiness. Ye have been clothed by Christ in a glory that transcends this world; through your labours ye have found rest, and through the toil of abstinence ye have gained the life above. Therefore, as it right, ye rejoice together with the powers on high, and sing in God’s presence with great joy. O God-bearing Fathers, pray that those who celebrate with love your holy memory may receive forgiveness of their sins.

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4. (NM) O Mother of God, in thy womb.

I am held fast in the mire of sin, and there is no strength or courage in me; the tempest of my trespasses has overwhelmed me. Look upon me thy servant, I entreat thee, for thou hast borne the Word who alone loves mankind. Deliver me, O Lady, from sin and from the passions that destroy my soul, and from every ill inflicted by the enemy, that I may sing with joy: Intercede with Christ our God for thy servant, that I may be forgiven my offences; for I have set my hope in thee. [KW]

Ode iv. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Ἐξ ὄρους κατασκίου.

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. [SD]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

The divine Hilarion was a lantern seen by all the world; in his knowledge of God, great Justin was a mountain; and let us also praise Hierax and Ivestion, great in honour, together with Joseph. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Jeremiah shone as lightning; Ischyrion showed a mighty spiritual strength; and with them Karion, Kopris and Kastor burned like beacons, while Cassian excelled in both the active and the contemplative life. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

I think with admiration of Kallistos, who possessed the gift of speech; I praise the good works of Laurence; I publish abroad the noble deeds of Longinos; I venerate the virtues of Lot. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

I praise Leontios, who entered the abyss of divine knowledge; I sing of Maximos, wide as the sea in his doctrinal teaching; of Markianos, glory of monasticism; of Mark, ready in obedience, who hearkened unto God. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Makarios the Great was honoured for his virtue, Makarios of Alexandria was a man of God. Praised in their company is Mark the Great and Moses the Ethiopian, with Dalmatois. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

I magnify Martinianos and Malchos, who undertook great struggles for the sake of purity; I honour Markellos the abbot, and Millis who raised the dead. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

O martyrs of Christ, offer to the Maker and Creator unceasing supplications for the peace of the world and for all who honour your memory with praises. [KW]

Glory.

Strange it is that the Godhead should be One and Three, fully present in each single Person without division: for Father, Son and Holy Spirit are worshipped as one God. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Hail, spacious dwelling-place of God; hail, ark of the New Covenant; hail, vessel from which the heavenly Manna has been given to all mortal men. [KW]

Heirmos.

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.

Ode v. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Τῆς τῶν παθῶν με ἀχλύος.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Come, and in the Eden of Paradise let us look upon the ascetic struggles of the Fathers and their victories, which are ever-living flowers, tended by the Lord alone. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

The souls of all are watered and refreshed by the words of Neilos and illumined by the lives of Navkratios, Nikon and Nathaniel; and they are filled with joy by Nisthenor. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Xenophon and his sons enlighten us with the bright shining of their virtues, and so does great Orsesios and above all Onuphrios; and who can praise Poemen as he deserves? [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Exalted both in action and in word, Pambo deserves our praise and blessing. Let us honour the famous Publius, who bound fast the demons, and with him let us also glorify the renowned Pinnuphrios. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Honour is due to Paphnutios, glorified by God, to Pior, Patermuthios and Paul the Simple, and to Pitiroun the Great, eminent among the Fathers. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

With high honour let us glorify Pachomios, star outshining all the other lights of heaven; and let us sing in praise of Palamon, his companion in the ascetic life, of godlike Petronios and Passarion. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

O undefeated martyrs, as athletes in the arena ye proclaimed Christ our God; ye have received crowns of victory, and now ye sing and dance in joy with the choirs of angels. [KW]

Glory.

Three in Persons but one in Nature is the God in whose Name we were baptized and in whom we believe: Father, Word and consubstantial Spirit. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Undefiled, at the word of the Angel thou hast borne the Word in a way surpassing words. We entreat thee, never cease to pray to Him that thy flock may be always delivered from danger. [KW]

Heirmos.

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.

Ode vi. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Συνεχόμενον δέξαι με.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Wonderful and worthy of our veneration are the Holy Fathers, with their ascetic struggles for God’s sake, their spiritual wrestling, and their works of healing. Who but whey have performed such miracles? [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us honour Rabbula the wonderful, and also Rufus, Sisois equal of the angels, and with them divine Seridos and Silvanus. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

As a four-starred firmament, the four Simeons were revealed on earth: three of them were stylites and one a fool for Christ. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Leader of monks, Savvas the Sanctified shone as the sun among the stars; and next to him shines Serapion, together with Silvanus. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise Sarmatas and Timothy, Tithois also, with Hyperechios, Pharmuthios, Phokas, Chariton, Chairemon and Psois, and also Or the wise. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

May the holy and glorious multitude of the Fathers, those whom we have remembered and those whose names we do not know, deliver from danger all of us who celebrate their memorials with loving hearts. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

Wonderful art Thou in Thy martyrs, O Lord who lovest mankind, and glorified through their sufferings, their wonders and their works of healing. At their intercessions, save us. [KW]

Glory.

I sing Thy praises, Trinity without beginning, divine Unity; Light and Lights Thou art, Life and Lives, one Holy and three Holies: Mind, Word and Spirit, the one God. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Leap for joy, Jesse the forefather; from thy root has sprung the Flower and Life that saves the world, Christ our god born from the pure Virgin. [KW]

Heirmos.

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.

Ode 6: Short Litany

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Triodion - - -

READER

Kontakion.

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.

CHOIR

Ode vii. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Ὁ τοὺς Παῖδας δροσίσας.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Come, and as is right let us offer hymns to the women that lived a life of sanctity, equal to that of the angels, and let us cry: At their intercessions, O God, save all of us. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

With faith let us honour Vryaini, who bore Christ in her heart, with godlike Fevronia, Thomais, Hiereia, Platonis and Melanthia. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us praise the two Evpraxias, angelic in mind, and also the two Theodoras; and let unceasing hymns and glory be given to all the blessed Anastasias who served God in a marvellous way. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Mary of Egypt was a light to the world, and Mary who was named Marinos shone on the earth as a star; Evphrosyni was bright as the sun in her virtues. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Theodouli was a flame of fire in her asceticism; and with her shone Theodoti, Julitta and blessed Isidora. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us honour Marina, whose mind dwelt in heaven, and the great Matrona; and let us praise the wisdom of Synklitiki, Sarah and Justa. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us sing in honour of Pelagia, the angel of the Lord, and of Taisia, the lamp of repentance, and of all the other women who shone forth in the ascetic life. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

As we celebrate the memory of the victorious martyrs, let us entreat the only Giver of Life to grant remission of sins to those who sing the praises of His mercy. [KW]

Glory.

With one accord we worship and glorify Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we cry aloud with faith: Glory to Thee our God, Trinity in Unity. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O blessed Theotokos Virgin, who hast borne the Saviour and Master of the world, pray to Him at all times for mercy on our souls. [KW]

Heirmos.

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.

Ode viii. Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.

Τὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ.

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]

Troparia.

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us all glorify the pastors and wise teachers and hierarchs of the Church of Christ, together with the holy monks; and let us praise the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let due praise be given to Basil the Great and to Athanasios of many labours, together with Gregory who surpassed all men in theology. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us give glory also to John of the Golden Mouth, to the two Cyrils who were pillars of divine wisdom, and to Hesychios the Theologian, with Meletios who discoursed on God. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let glory be given to Gregory of Nyssa with the two Fathers named Wonderworker; and for ever let us praise Epiphanios, wise in the things of God, and Amphilochios, the shining star. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

Let us sing the praises of Metrophanes, the glory of priests, with Nektarios, Attikos, Gennadios and Anatolios, for they have filled our life with light; and let us also honour wise Evsevios and Proklos. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

I sing of Nicolas the holy preacher and Sophronios sweet as honey in his speech, of Evlalios and Diadochos, together with Evstathios and Juvenal, chief among the Fathers. [KW]

Saints of God, intercede for us.

For the Martyrs.

Healing of soul and body flow from the tombs of the victorious martyrs as from a fountain. With faith let us draw water from this source, and let us praise and exalt the Lord above all for ever. [KW]

Glory.

As Unity in Essence I sing Thy praises; as Trinity in Persons I venerate Thee, Father, Son and All-Holy Spirit. The power of Thy Kingdom that has no beginning I glorify unto all ages. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O Theotokos, thou hast become the Mountain of God in which Christ came to dwell; and He has made into divine temples all those who sing: Praise ye the Lord and exalt Him above all for ever. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos.

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]

Heirmos.

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.

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

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.

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]