Books - Sources

Pentecostarion

Thursday of the Second Week

Menaion - May 16

Memory of St. Theodore the Sancitfied

__________

MATINS

CHOIR

Grave Mode.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]

Glory. For the Devout Man.

Mode 1. Automelon.

As a citizen of the desert and an angel incarnate * and a wonder-worker you shone forth, O Theodore, our God-bearing father. * Since you received the spiritual gifts * by fasting and vigilance and prayer, * you can cure those who are ailing and heal the souls * of those who run to you with faith. * Glory to Him who gave His might to you; * glory to Him who placed a crown on you; * glory to Him who operates through you, providing cures to all. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Resurrectional.

Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.

O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross. * Immortal Lord, You were counted among the dead. * You rose on the third day, O Savior, and resurrected Adam from decay. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ! * Glory to Your resurrection! * Glory to Your condescension, only benevolent God!” [GOASD]

For the Apostles.

Verse: Their proclamation went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. [SAAS]

Mode 1.

O wise fishermen of the civilized world, from God you received a compassionate heart, and thus you intercede on behalf of us who cry out: “Lord, save Your people and Your city, and free our souls from the woes that beset us, by the prayers of Your Apostles.” [SD]

For the Martyrs.

Verse: God is wondrous in His saints. [SAAS]

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

Let all of us beseech the holy Martyrs of Christ God. * To Him they ever pray for our salvation and safety. * So let us all go to them, and approach them with ardent faith. * They pour out the grace of cures and healings profusely. * They defeat the hosts of evil spirits and demons, * as guardians of the Faith. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

The Prophets openly prophesied and pronounced you * the Mother of our God; and the holy Apostles * declared this throughout the world; and for our part we have believed. * Therefore one and all, in truly Orthodox manner, * honor and extol you, blessed Maiden, and call you * Theotokos literally. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

“Since You have seen my side and the punctures the nails made, * no longer disbelieve in My rising, O Thomas,” * the Lord said when He appeared to His Disciples ineffably, * after He had risen from the tomb on the third day. * Then the Twin believed and cried aloud to the Creator, * “My Lord and my God are You.” [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

“Since You have seen my side and the punctures the nails made, * no longer disbelieve in My rising, O Thomas,” * the Lord said when He appeared to His Disciples ineffably, * after He had risen from the tomb on the third day. * Then the Twin believed and cried aloud to the Creator, * “My Lord and my God are You.” [SD]

READER

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]

Psalm 50 (51).

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

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

You flourished like a palm tree in the house of God; ⁄ through great ascetic effort you brought forth the fruit of virtues for the Lord. ⁄ Therefore, you are called blessed, venerable Father, ⁄⁄ as you stand with the bodiless hosts! [OCA]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 16 we commemorate our devout Father Theodore the Sanctified.

On this day we commemorate our Father among the Saints Alexander, Archbishop of Jerusalem.

We also commemorate the holy Martyrs Abdas and Abdiesus the Bishops, and the thirty-eight with them: sixteen priests, nine deacons, six monks, and seven virgins.

The holy Martyrs Isaakius, Symeon, and Bachthisoes died by fire.

The holy Fathers of the Monastery of Saint Savas were died by the sword at the hands of the Bedouins.

The holy Martyr Papylinus died by the sword.

The holy Martyr Peter of Blachernae, died after being lashed with ox-thongs.

Saint Nicholas, Patriarch of Constantinople, reposed in peace.

We also commemorate Saint Euphemia at the Church of the Holy Power near the shipyard harbor.

The holy Neo-martyr Nicholas of Metsovo, who witnessed in Trikkala in 1617, died by fire.

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

CHOIR

Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 2.

Κάμινός ποτε.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

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]

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]

Heirmos. Mode 2.

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]

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

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Exaposteilarion. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

When you examine fully * My body’s wounds with your own hand, * Thomas, be not disbelieving * in Me who suffered wounds for you. * With the Disciple have one mind * and proclaim Me the living God. [SD]

From Pentecostarion - - -

For the Feast.

Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.

Today it smells like springtime, * and new creation is dancing. * Today the locks are removed * from the doors and the disbelief * of Thomas the friend who cries out, * “You are my Lord and my God.” [SD]

Mode 1.

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 Pentecostarion - - -

Stichera. Mode 1.

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

Resurrectional.

We glorify Your divine condescension, and we extol You, O Christ. From the Virgin You were born, and from the Father You remained inseparable. As a man You suffered and voluntarily endured the Cross. As one emerging from a bridal chamber, You rose from the sepulcher, in order to save the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]

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

Repeat.

We glorify Your divine condescension, and we extol You, O Christ. From the Virgin You were born, and from the Father You remained inseparable. As a man You suffered and voluntarily endured the Cross. As one emerging from a bridal chamber, You rose from the sepulcher, in order to save the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]

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

For the Apostles.

For all the powers of heaven.

Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.

Let us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul * with Luke and Mark and Matthew, * John and Andrew and Thomas, * Iakovos and Philip, Bartholomew, * also Simon and Thaddaeus; * and let us worthily praise the entire choir * of divinely called Disciples of Christ. [SD]

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

For the Martyrs.

Greatly rejoice in the Lord, O Martyrs, for you fought the good fight, you stood up to emperors, and you were victorious over tyrants. You were not frightened by fire and sword. As wild beasts devoured your bodies, and you joined the Angels in sending up your hymns of praise to Christ, from heaven you received the crowns. Pray now that peace be granted to the world and great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now. For the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 4.

Marvel at this miraculous paradox: John rested his head on the chest of the Logos, and Thomas was allowed to touch His side. But while the one imbibes God’s eternal plan from that ocean of theology mystically, the other is compelled to disclose the mystery to us openly, as he exposes the proofs of the Lord’s resurrection, and he cries aloud, “My Lord and my God, glory to You!” [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Doxology.

Doxology (read)

HIERARCH or READER

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

READER

Amen.

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

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.

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 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 of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.

Far from us now be gone * dejection of the passions * and thoughts that swirl like tempests, * and thus the sacred springtime of faith in Christ will blossom forth. [SD]

Verse: His proclamation went forth into all the earth, and his words to the ends of the world. [SAAS]

Savior, You then appeared * to Your divine Apostles, although the doors were locked shut, * through them today renewing the Holy Spirit in our souls. [SD]

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows the creation of His hands. [SAAS]

Seeing You, King of all, * now not with eyes, but rather * by heartfelt love and longing, * in hymns we magnify You, for we believe that You are God. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Eight days after Your Resurrection, O King Jesus, only-begotten Logos of the Father, You came and stood among Your Disciples, the doors being shut, and You gave them Your peace. Then, to the disbelieving Disciple, You showed the marks of the nails, and You said to him, “Come, touch my hands, take a look at my feet, place your hand in my uncontaminated side.” Then he believed it and cried out to You, “My Lord and my God, glory to You!” [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.

CHOIR

Apolytikion. For the Devout Man.

Mode 1. Automelon.

As a citizen of the desert and an angel incarnate * and a wonder-worker you shone forth, O Theodore, our God-bearing father. * Since you received the spiritual gifts * by fasting and vigilance and prayer, * you can cure those who are ailing and heal the souls * of those who run to you with faith. * Glory to Him who gave His might to you; * glory to Him who placed a crown on you; * glory to Him who operates through you, providing cures to all. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Grave Mode.

The tomb being sealed, You rose from the sepulcher, O Christ God, the Life. And the doors being shut, You came to the disciples, O resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit within us, according to Your great mercy. [GOASD]

(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)

PRIEST: Wisdom.

READER: Father, bless!

PRIEST

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

CHOIR: Amen.

HIERARCH or READER

The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

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

or:

Dismissal

PRIEST

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

May He who rose from the dead, 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…”

According to the Patriarchal Hemerologion:

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

CHOIR

Amen.

or:

According to common practice:

PRIEST

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

PEOPLE

Truly the Lord is risen!