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Triodion

Mode 2. On Wednesday Morning

On Wednesday of the Third Week Morning

Menaion - April 3

Memory of our Devout Father Nikitas the Confessor

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 2.

Verse 1: My spirit rises early in the morning to You, O God, for Your commands are a light upon the earth. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: Learn righteousness, you who dwell on the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 3: Jealousy will seize an untaught people; and now fire will devour the adversaries.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 4: Bring more evils on them, O Lord, bring more evils on them, on the glorious of the earth.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

From Horologion - - -

Triadic Hymns

Mode 2.

We on earth, imitating the powers on high, send up a triumphal hymn to You, O good One: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the power of Your Cross save us. [SD]

Glory.

O uncreated nature and Creator of the universe, open our lips, so that we may proclaim Your praise and cry out: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. By the intercessions of the Saints save us. [SD]

Both now.

From my bed and sleep You have roused me, O Lord. Illumine my mind and heart, and open my lips to extol You, O Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are You, our God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 19. There is no litany, but immediately the following:

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Triodion - - -

For the Cross.

Mode 2.

O benevolent Lord, as an intercessor we we present to You the life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which we the unworthy have as a gift from You. Save our leaders and our nation and keep them in peace, through the Theotokos. [SD]

Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy. [SAAS]

The enemy took Adam captive through eating from the tree. And You, O Lord, likewise took the enemy captive through the tree of the Cross and Your Passion. By means of it, You the second Adam went to seek the one deceived, and to make the one who died alive again. O God, glory to You! [SD]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

O Christ, Your virgin Mother saw You stretched out on the Cross, and she cried bitterly and said, “O my Son, what is this awful mystery? You who give life eternal to all, how is it that You voluntarily die a painful death on a cross?” [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 20. 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

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 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.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma II. From the Triodion.

Mode 3. (NM)

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Raised upon the Cross, O Master, through the Wood Thou hast quenched the flame of sin; suffering death by Thine own choice, Thou hast slain the enemy. Therefore I entreat Thee: put to death the desires of my flesh and bring to life my miserable heart, cleansing me from all defilement through the Fast that kills the passions, for Thou art merciful. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

O tender-loving Lord, willingly You endured * a very painful death by being crucified. * And as Your Mother witnessed it, O Christ, she was pricked to the heart. * She was aching inwardly * and lamented maternally. * At her earnest prayers for us, * with compassion take pity on us, * and save the world, O merciful Savior * who takes away the sin of the world. [SD]

The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 1. 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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

From Triodion - - -

Kathisma III. From the Triodion.

Mode 2.

As we continue the joyful celebration of the Fast, we cry aloud: Keep us all in peace, O Lord, deliver us from every snare of the enemy, and in Thy surpassing love count us worthy to venerate with fear Thy precious Cross, through which Thou grantest to the inhabited earth Thy mercy, O Thou who alone art most merciful. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 2.

Beholding Thee, O Christ, stretched dead upon the Tree, Thy Virgin Mother cried aloud with bitter tears: ‘O my Son, what is this fearful mystery? How dost Thou, who givest life eternal unto all, suffer willingly a shameful death upon the Cross?’ [KW]

READER

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory. Both now.

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]

PRIEST

O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:

through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:

We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy. (12)

PRIEST

Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode i. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν βυθῷ κατέστρωε.

Verse: Let us sing to the Lord, for He is greatly glorified.

Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Illumined by the light of the divine lightning, Father, you devoted your life to God, having preferred from childhood the light-bearing brightness of virginity, through which you resembled the purity of the bodiless. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord reigns forever and ever and ever. For Pharaoh’s horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. [SAAS]

By the guiding, divine, and pure Spirit you were made golden, and by the monastic garb which is divine in appearance, you lived in purity. And having been enkindled by the many-lighted ray, God-bearer, you steadfastly continued building a most-pure life. [VPA]

Verse: But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. [SAAS]

Strengthened by the power of the Cross, you utterly quenched the passions of the flesh, O all-wise Niketas, and illumined your mind by meditating on the teachings of the Spirit and you were made to enjoy the unspendable riches of divine visions. [VPA]

Glory.

You were made to shine with soundness of mind, blessed one, and through purity you ascended to holy self-control, since you were adorned with the most bright garment of the priesthood, being known as a mediator of divine mysteries, Venerable one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Unto the Creator you gave birth, * when in His good pleasure He became incarnate, O Maid, in your virgin womb. * Hence you are superior * to creation all, invisible and visible. * Intercede with Him with confidence, entreating Him to save our souls. [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐξήνθησεν ἡ ἔρημος.

Verse: Holy are You, O Lord, and my spirit praises You.

The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having acquired a heavenly manner of life, glorious one, you became a beacon of the light of piety, luminous and very bright, eminent with your divine gifts. [VPA]

Verse: My heart is strengthened in the Lord; my horn is exalted in my God. I smile at my enemies; I rejoice in Your salvation. [SAAS]

Having acquired a heavenly manner of life, glorious one, you became a beacon of the light of piety, luminous and very bright, eminent with your divine gifts. [VPA]

Verse: Because no one is holy like the Lord, no one is righteous like our God, no one is holy but You. [SAAS]

You put to death the thoughts of your flesh, all-wise one and through the virtues you made the divine part of the soul to live and became worthy of the undecaying life. [VPA]

Verse: Do not boast nor speak of high things; let no arrogance come from your mouth. [SAAS]

You completed your life rejoicing, Venerable one, adorned with beauty and the gracefulness of many gifts, in which your heart was established. [VPA]

Verse: For the Lord is the God of knowledge; and God is preparing His actions. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

Having boldness as His Mother, O Lady, towards your Son, ask Him to come to the aid of your people and your flock and shatter the insolence of the lawless. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Three.

He weakened the bow of mighty men, and those who are weak are girded with strength. [SAAS]

Those who were full of bread were made empty, and the hungry have forsaken the land. The barren woman has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble.

The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Hades and raises up.

The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low and lifts up.

He raises the poor from the earth. He lifts the needy from the dung heap, to set them among princely people and make them inherit a throne of glory. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode iii. Mode 3. (NM)

Τὸ στερέωμα.

Verse: The One who gives a prayer to the one praying, He blesses with righteous years. [SAAS]

Crucified with Him who was crucified for our sake, let us put to death all the members of the flesh by fasting, prayer and supplication. [KW]

Verse: The Lord makes His adversaries weak; the Lord is holy. [SAAS]

O Lord, who by Thy Crucifixion hast plucked out the thorn of sin, pluck out all thorny thoughts from my mind. [KW]

Verse: Let not the man of learning boast in his understanding, nor let the man of might boast in his might, nor let the man of riches boast in his riches. [SAAS]

Arming our mind with fasting and fenced about by the power of the Cross, let us overthrow the hostile ranks of demons. [KW]

Verse: Only let the one who boasts boast in this: to understand and to know the Lord and to do justice and righteousness in the midst of the earth. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

From thee the Word came forth incarnate, O Virgin undefiled, and in His tender mercy He has set to rights the fall of our first parents. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode iii. Mode 2. (NM) O Lord, who hast put sin to death.

Στερέωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν σοὶ Κύριε.

Verse: The Lord went up into the heaven and thundered. The Lord judges the ends of the earth. [SAAS]

Thy life-creating Cross, O Lord, is my seal unto salvation: for by its virtue I overthrow the adversary and praise Thee as God mighty in power. [KW]

Verse: He gives strength to our leaders, and He will exalt the horn of His Christ. [SAAS]

The Tree of the Cross has borne a fruit that gives eternal life unto the world; and as we eat of it, O Christ, we are delivered from death. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

I glorify three Persons in one Nature, Father, Son and Spirit, the one Power of the Divinity that rules and reigns alone as God. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Thy childbearing, O pure Lady, fills our hearts with fear. For it is God who has become man, begotten outside time from the Father and in the last days brought forth by thee through a virgin birth. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

The grace of the Cross shines out upon the world, O merciful Lord, preparing all of us for the coming celebration of Thy divine Sufferings. Grant us to venerate with faith Thy Holy Passion. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Στερέωσον ἡμᾶς ἐν σοὶ Κύριε.

O Lord, who hast put sin to death by the Wood of the Cross, be Thou our strength and our support, and graft Thy fear in our hearts, as we sing in praise of Thee. [KW]

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 Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Come quickly.

Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.

You took your abode in the mountains of silence, wise one, and manifestly grew in the cities of self-control. You were lifted up on both, you left the life of earth-bound pleasures and you reached the heavenly dwelling, in which entreat God for us. [VPA]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 4. Come quickly.

O Savior, You Virgin Mother saw You lifted up on the Cross. * And looking at You, she bitterly lamented and wept * and uttered such things as this: * “What an extraordinary, new, unusual wonder! * How did these lawless people have the gall to crucify You, * the only Giver of life, O sweetest Light of mine!” [SD]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode iv. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐλήλυθας ἐκ Παρθένου.

Verse: Glory to Your strength, O Lord.

You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

O God-bearer, You were shown to be one who severs the roots of the passions by the purity of your soul, and you pulled up all the soul-killing fraudulent teaching of those who warred against God, all-venerable teacher of sacred things. [VPA]

Verse: The Lord God is my strength; He will direct my feet to the end. [SAAS]

Having received the crown of victory, you now rest in the heavenly dwellings, having shaken off the passions and been clothed in dispassion, O all-happy and blessed Father. [VPA]

Verse: He will set me upon high places, so to conquer by His song. [SAAS]

You offered your life to Christ like a blameless sacrifice, full of divine love and adorned with the beauty of asceticism, all-blessed one. [VPA]

Glory.

You manifestly disdained the soul-harming rhetoric of heresy, honoring Christ’s divine image, together with taht of God’s mother and all the saints, all-holy one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

All we, the faithful, know you, O Lady Theotokos, as a harbor of salvation and a wall unshaken, for, by your intercessions, you free our souls from dangers. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode v. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Μεσίτης Θεοῦ.

Verse: O Lord our God, grant us peace.

O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

As a meek one you have made your dwelling in the land of the meek, having become a fighter for the truth, all-memorable one, and you were brightly adorned with the crown of confession. [VPA]

Verse: The dead shall rise up; and those in the tombs shall arise. Those in the earth shall be glad. [SAAS]

As a meek one you have made your dwelling in the land of the meek, having become a fighter for the truth, all-memorable one, and you were brightly adorned with the crown of confession. [VPA]

Verse: For your dew is a healing for them, but the land of the ungodly shall come to an end. [SAAS]

You have now been translated to the divine light, having become a son of light truly in your heart, and you rejoice with gladness in joy and delight with the choirs of angels. [VPA]

Glory.

You have become a partaker of the indescribable delight of Paradise; for you were shown to be an all-calm harbor to those made cold by winter and became a feeder of those who hunger, blessed one. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

Entreat your Son and Lord, pure Virgin, that a peaceful delivery from opponents be given to those in difficult circumstances who place their hope in you. [VPA]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vi. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἐν ἀβύσσῳ πταισμάτων.

Verse: Save us, O Lord, like You saved the Prophet Jonah.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

You held on to great hopes, all-blessed Father, having become an inheritor of the happiness of the Master and the divine illumination. [VPA]

Verse: Those who follow vanity and lies forsake their own mercy. [SAAS]

You held on to great hopes, all-blessed Father, having become an inheritor of the happiness of the Master and the divine illumination. [VPA]

Verse: As much as I vowed, I shall offer up to You, to You, the Lord of Deliverance. [SAAS]

Holding on to the double light-bearing lamp of your confession and your ascetic works, you went to the heavenly places, God-bearing, all-noble Niketas [VPA]

Glory.

Enjoying the unending and divine delight from heavenly dwellings now, Father, entreat the Master and Lord of all for us. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

You conceived without the help of man, O Virgin, and you ever-remain a Virgin, showing the true signs of the divinity of your Son and God. [VPA]

Heirmos.

Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]

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

For the Martyrs. Mode 2.

O victorious Athletes of the Lord, blessed is the ground that was watered with your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits. You prevailed over the enemy in the stadium, and you openly proclaimed Christ. We pray you will earnestly entreat Him for us, that He save our souls, since He is good. [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On April 3 we commemorate our devout father Niketas the confessor, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Joseph the Hymnographer.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Elpidophoros.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Dius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Bythonius.

On this day we also commemorate the holy martyr Galycus.

On this day we also commemorate our devout father Illyrios of Mount Myrsion.

On this day the holy new martyr Paul the Russian, the freedman, who witnessed in Constantinople in the year 1683, died by the sword.

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

From Menaion - - -

CHOIR

Canon for the Saint.

Ode vii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἀντίθεον πρόσταγμα.

Verse: Blessed are You, the God of our fathers.

The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Your virtuousness greatly humbled to the ground the cruelty of the tyrant, putting him to death with intense entreaties, for the Lord knows how to do the will of those who fear him. [VPA]

Verse: Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, and You are praised and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

Your virtuousness greatly humbled to the ground the cruelty of the tyrant, putting him to death with intense entreaties, for the Lord knows how to do the will of those who fear him. [VPA]

Verse: Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, for You are praised and glorified unto the ages. [SAAS]

The thunder of your dogmas and the light-bearing lightning flash of your life illumined the world, shining upon the faithful with God-illumined torches and with bright words and deeds, God-blessed teacher of sacred things. [VPA]

Glory.

Strengthened by the might of the Paraclete you escaped the ranks of the demons and the nooses of the heresies, godly-minded one, and went up to the heavenly height, dwelling now with the choirs of the bodiless. [VPA]

Both now. Theotokion.

We know you as the holy of holies, as the only one who bore the unchanging God, O unstained Virgin, unwedded Mother, for you spring up incorruptibility for all the faithful through your divine birth-giving. [VPA]

Ode viii.

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode viii. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Κάμινός ποτε.

Verse: O you works, to the Lord sing a hymn, and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages.

Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Having gone beyond all things of the senses, thrice-blessed one, you have now drawn near to the noetic light, all-venerable one, having been made worthy of divine visions and crying out, full of illumination: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Having manifestly put on the mortification of the passions, you went towards the life-bearing choruses, all-blessed one, aflame with piety and alight with virtues, crying out: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, you heavens of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Having toiled from infancy with all virtue, at the end of your struggles you were shown to be adorned with a crown of graces and you gained the prize, chanting: All the works of the Lord, exalt Him beyond measure. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you waters above the heaven, all you powers of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Look upon us now from on high, Father, as you stand by your Master, Nikitas who bear the name of victory, as you have great boldness and ask for the salvation of souls for your flock, glorious revealer of sacred things. [VPA]

Verse: Bless the Lord, you sun and moon, you stars of heaven, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

You conceived without seed the one who is not separated from the Father, who dwelt in your womb as God and man, and you gave birth to him in a manner beyond telling, O spotless birth-giver of God. Therefore we know you as the salvation of all. [VPA]

(read)

Intermediate Verses of Ode Eight.

Bless the Lord, every shower and dew, all you winds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Bless the Lord, you fire and heat, you winter cold and summer heat, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you dews and snows, you frost and cold, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you hoarfrosts and snows, you lightning and clouds, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you light and darkness, you night and day, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you earth, you mountains and hills, and all you things growing on the earth, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages.

Bless the Lord, you springs, you seas and rivers, you sea-monsters and everything that moves in the waters, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

(sung)

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 3. (NM)

Ἀστέκτῳ πυρί.

Verse: Bless the Lord, all you birds of heaven, all you wild animals and cattle, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Giver of Light, who by the Cross hast triumphed over the principalities and dominions of darkness, when Thou shalt come in power to judge the whole world, do not denounce my hidden sins, O Word, that I may glorify Thy great compassion. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O children of men. Bless the Lord, O Israel, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O just and longsuffering Lord, Thou the Judge hast stood as prisoner before the judgement seat of Pilate; and by Thy Cross Thou hast condemned the enmity that separated man from God. Deliver, then, from eternal condemnation those who cry to Thee in fear and glorify Thy lovingkindness. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O priests of the Lord, O servants of the Lord, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Of old the Holy Children, strengthened by the fire of fasting, quenched with dew from God the fiercely burning flames. By fasting let us also quench the furnaces of all the passions, that we may escape from the flame of Gehenna. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, O holy ones and humble in heart, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

Theotokion.

From thee, O Maiden who hast not known marriage, the Wisdom of God built for Himself a house and took flesh in His humble love that no word can describe. For thou alone from all generations hast been chosen, O Undefiled, as the dwelling of the eternal Word. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode viii. Mode 2. (NM) The Lord of old foreshadowed.

Τὸν ἐν τῇ βάτῳ Μωσῇ.

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

O Christ, whose word upholds the universe, for my sake Thou hast borne all things, buffeting and spitting and crucifixion. I praise for ever the greatness of Thy love for mankind. [KW]

Verse: Bless the Lord, O Apostles, Prophets, and Martyrs, and exalt Him beyond measure, unto all the ages. [SAAS]

As a lamb Thou wast offered in sacrifice, O Christ, and Thy side was pierced by a lance, that Thou mightest save me, the lost sheep, from the snares of the devil and keep me for ever in Thy good fold. [KW]

Verse: We bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we sing a hymn to Him and exalt Him beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]

For the Trinity.

O Godhead, one in Trinity, undivided in Nature yet divided in Persons, Power that shall never be destroyed, Father, Son and Spirit, we sing Thy praises for ever. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

O pure Mother of God, Gate of heaven, Door of salvation, accept the prayer of all Christians who call thee blessed for ever. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Thy Cross, O Christ, is the glory of priests, the strength of kings, the light of all the faithful. Grant me to behold and worship it, and to sing in praise of it for ever. [KW]

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Τὸν ἐν τῇ βάτῳ Μωσῇ.

The Lord of old foreshadowed the miracle of the Virgin to Moses in the bush upon Mount Sinai: let us praise, bless and exalt Him above all forever. [KW]

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 2.

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]

From Menaion - - -

Canon for the Saint.

Ode ix. Mode 2. Heirmos.

Ἀνάρχου Γεννήτορος.

To us was revealed the unoriginate Begetter’s Son, * from a Virgin incarnated. He is God and Lord, * coming to those sitting in darkness to give them light, * to gather the scattered. * And therefore the all-extolled Theotokos should be magnified. [SD]

Troparia.

Devout Saint of God, intercede for us.

Being pure you were made worthy of divine illumination shining brightly with the shapes of the virtues and always shining out with the crown of confession. Therefore we now honor your all-glorious feast. [VPA]

Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. [RSV]

Verse: And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. [RSV]

Blessed one, you lived your life with soundness of mind, guided by the commands of the Savior. And now, the shadow having passed away, you have worthily gained with joy the unending life, most sacred speaker of divine things. [VPA]

Verse: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. [RSV]

You quickly passed the sharp agitation of changeable things and were brought to the calm harbor of the kingdom of Christ rejoicing, O Niketas. To him, O Father, guide those who bless you and honor your memory. [VPA]

Verse: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant. [RSV]

Theotokion.

Having received the heavenly rain in your womb like wool, you bore for us the one who gives immortality to all mortals who worship him and magnify you, the all-hymned Theotokos. [VPA]

From Triodion - - -

Canon 1 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 3. (NM)

Ἐν νόμῳ σκιᾷ.

Verse: The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, be[ing] delivered from the hand of our enemies. [RSV]

The serpent that Moses raised upon his staff prefigured Thee, O Christ, who wast raised of Thine own will upon the Cross: for Thou hast healed us from the poison of the evil one, and in Thy love Thou drawest all men to Thyself. [KW]

Verse: [That we] might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. [RSV]

Cleanse me by the fire of Thy fear, O Christ; kindle Thy divine love in my soul, and fence me about with Thy Cross: for the deceiver that caused man’s fall of old has craftily beguiled me and darkened my understanding with lust. [KW]

Verse: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. [RSV]

O brethren, let us fast from shameful thoughts and evil actions; let us purify our hearts and through the divine virtues let us ascend with wings to heaven, turning away from the evil impulses that creep upon the ground; and grant us, robed in light, to behold the great Passover. [KW]

Verse: To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [RSV]

Theotokion.

He who is rich by nature freely chose to wear our poverty, which He took from thee, O Virgin; and He who is invisible, whom the choirs of angels praise on high, became visible to our eyes, and in His love He has formed anew our broken image. [KW]

Canon 2 from the Triodion.

Ode ix. Mode 2. (NM) Thou art the living spiritual ladder.

Σὲ τὴν νοητήν.

Verse: When the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. [RSV]

Thou hast stretched Thine arms upon the Cross and made Thine own the four ends of the earth; through Thee, O Son of God, we have found access to the Father, and we all magnify Thee. [KW]

Verse: To guide our feet into the way of peace. [RSV]

The transgressors set a crown of thorns upon Thine head, O Christ; they struck Thee and they crucified Thee. Seeing these things, all the earth was shaken; but we have been saved and we magnify Thee. [KW]

Glory. For the Trinity.

Holy and threefold Light of the Godhead, ever upholding and protecting all things, Father, Son and Spirit of Life, with never-silent hymns we magnify Thee. [KW]

Both now. Theotokion.

Thou art the shining cloud of the Spirit, O Theotokos, out of which the Light that no man can approach has shone upon us, Christ the great Sun of righteousness; and with our hymns we magnify thee. [KW]

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Cross of Christ, thou art our light, our holy token and ensign of victory. Make abstinence sweet for us and count us worthy to venerate thee. [KW]

Heirmos (NM). Mode 2.

Σὲ τὴν νοητήν.

Thou art the living spiritual ladder, whereby our God came down: through Him we have found the way of ascent to heaven, and with never-silent hymns we magnify thee. [KW]

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [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

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

Photagogic Hymns

From Horologion - - -

Mode 2.

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, by the power of Your Cross, and save me. [SD]

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, by the intercessions of the Saints, and save me. [SD]

Send out Your eternal light, O Lord, and illumine the hidden eyes of my heart, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save me. [SD]

READER

Lauds. (read)

Psalm 148.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. 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. [SAAS]

Psalm 149.

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. [SAAS]

Psalm 150.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

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

READER

Amen.

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

DEACON

Let us complete our morning prayer 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

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

CHOIR (after each petition)

Grant this, O Lord.

DEACON

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

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

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

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

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

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

Peace be with all.

CHOIR

And with your spirit.

DEACON

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

CHOIR

To You, O Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

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

PRIEST (aloud)

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

CHOIR

Amen.

CHOIR

Aposticha. From the Triodion.

From Triodion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 2.

Though honoured as a son by the loving Father, in my foolishness I did not understand. I have deprived myself of glory, sinfully wasting the wealth of grace. I have forsaken the divine food, eating in servile bondage at the table of an unclean citizen. He has sent me into his soul destroying field, and living like the Prodigal I have fed with the beasts; I was enslaved to the pleasures and could not eat my fill. But now I have turned back, and I shall cry to the compassionate and merciful Father: I have sinned against heaven and before Thee; have mercy upon me. [KW]

Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]

For the Martyrs.

Mode 2.

Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]

The multitude of Thy martyrs intercedes with Thee, O Christ: Have mercy upon us in Thy love for mankind. [KW]

Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

At the crucifixion of your Son * and your God, immaculate Lady, you suffered much distress. * Groaning you lamented and you cried with bitter tears, * “Sweetest Child of mine, alas! * You suffer unjustly, * wishing to deliver all of Adam’s line born on earth!” * Therefore, moved by faith we entreat you * fervently, O all-holy Virgin: * For our sake persuade Him to be merciful. [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 the Son and 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 the Son and 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 ever and to ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

READER

Standing in your glorious church, O Theotokos, we think we are standing in heaven. O heavenly Gate, open to us the door of your mercy.

Lord, have mercy. (40)

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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.

In the name of the Lord, Father, bless!

PRIEST

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

PRIEST

O heavenly King, uphold our rulers, strengthen the Faith, calm the nations, give peace to the world. Protect this holy Church (or, Monastery); grant our departed fathers and brethren that they may dwell with the righteous, and accept us in repentance and confession; for You are good and benevolent.

We now make three prostrations: i.e. we recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem (quietly or mentally), and with each verse we make a bow or prostration.

While it has become customary for this prayer to be recited by someone aloud, nevertheless the indicated practice is that it be recited inaudibly and mentally by everyone, clergy and congregants alike, with the accompanying bows etc.

Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, do not permit the spirit of laziness and meddling, the lust for power and idle talk to come into me.

Instead, grant me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Then we make the sign of the cross 12 times, each time saying, “God, be gracious to me a sinner and have mercy on me.” Then we repeat the third verse of the Prayer (quietly or mentally) and make a final bow or prostration.

Yes, Lord and King, give me the power to see my own faults and not to judge my brother. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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

or:

READER

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (3) Father, bless!

Dismissal

PRIEST

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

May 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.

CHOIR

Amen.