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Pentecostarion

Sunday of All Saints - On Saturday Evening

Menaion - June 30

The Synaxis in Honor of the Twelve Apostles

__________

VESPERS

PRIEST

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

CHOIR

Amen.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

READER

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Psalm 103 (104).

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

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

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

THE PEACE LITANY

DEACON

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

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

For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

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

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

For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

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

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

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

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

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

Mode pl. 4.

Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Hide Stichologia

Resurrectional Stichera. Mode pl. 4.

From Octoechos - - -

Sticheron 1.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord. [SAAS]

We offer You, O Christ, evening hymns of praise, this service of spiritual worship. For You were well pleased to have mercy on us through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 2.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me. [SAAS]

We pray You, O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your presence. Please have mercy on us, through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 3.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. [SAAS]

Rejoice, O holy Zion, Mother of the churches, and where God made His dwelling! You were first to receive the forgiveness of sins through the resurrection. [GOASD]

Sticheron 4.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. [SAAS]

The Logos, who before all ages was begotten of God the Father and in latter times became incarnate of the ever-virgin Mary, of His own will endured crucifixion and death, and through His resurrection He saved humanity, which had died long ago. [GOASD]

For the Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. N/M (To a brave one.)

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Let us bless the honorable disciples! ⁄ They were the eye-witnesses of the incarnate Word. ⁄ They shine upon the world like flashes of lightning; ⁄ as spiritual giants they bring sweetness to our souls. ⁄ They are rivers of paradise, ⁄⁄ flowing with living water for the refreshment of the churches! [OCA]

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

Let us honor Christ’s fellow-laborers! ⁄ They are lightning bolts hurled to earth by the might of the Spirit; ⁄ workers of miracles and witnesses of the mysteries, ⁄ tablets of divine love written by the hand of God, ⁄⁄ honorable masters of the divine law! [OCA]

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

The foolishness of the philosophers is corrected by the rod of the fishermen! ⁄ The vanity of the orators is put to confusion by divine wisdom! ⁄ The apostles proclaimed the infinite goodness of the Gospel; ⁄ now they exult in the communion of eternal blessedness: ⁄⁄ the joy of the angels and the unfading crown of glory! [OCA]

Stichera. For the Saints.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 2. When the saints deposited.

Ὅλην ἀποθέμενοι.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

Those spiritual orators, the Savior’s holy Disciples, * were the Spirit’s instruments * by their faith, and they were sent to evangelize * everywhere on the earth, and they sowed the teachings * that are Orthodox throughout the world. * And these produced good fruit, by the cultivation of grace divine: * the host of Martyrs, who depict * in themselves the Passion of Christ our God, * by the fire and tortures, the whips and mutilations they endured. * And on behalf of our souls they now * intercede with confidence. [GOASD]

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Consumed by the Master’s love, the Martyr Saints disregarded * fires they were thrown into. * And in Christ they burned away pagan insolence * as if dry shrubbery, for they were ignited * as divine and hotly burning coals. * They stopped the mouths of beasts * by the invocations they wisely made. * And even as their heads were cut, * they cut down the enemy’s regiments. * They endured and poured out the fountains of their blood, by which the Church * is irrigated and flourishes * daily in the faith of God. [GOASD]

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

They wrestled with wild beasts, and they were beaten and bludgeoned * and with fortitude endured * the methods and instruments of torture and pain. * These were strong witnesses, Martyrs of the Savior. * They stood fast when they were set on fire. * They were subjected to * combs and racks, impalement, dismemberment, * and mutilation, patiently * focusing their minds on the end to come, * the immortal glory of Christ and His eternal great rewards. * And on behalf of our souls they now * intercede with confidence. [GOASD]

Glory. For the Apostles.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

The all-august feast of the Apostles has arrived in the Church of Christ, as an occasion of salvation for us. So mystically applauding them let us say to them, “Rejoice, luminaries of those in darkness, since you are the rays of the Sun. Rejoice, Peter and Paul, unbroken foundations of the divine dogmas, friends of Christ, worthy vessels. Come and be in our midst invisibly, and count us worthy of immaterial gifts, as we extol your feast with songs.” [SD]

Both now. Mode pl. 4.

From Octoechos - - -

The First Theotokion of the Mode.

The King of heaven appeared on earth and lived among men, in His benevolence towards humanity. He assumed flesh from the pure Virgin, and, with the human nature that He assumed, He was born from her. Now twofold in nature, He is but one person, the Son. So we confess and correctly profess that fully divine and fully human He is one and the same, Christ our God. We pray you, His virgin Mother, entreat Him to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]

Stand for the Entrance.

DEACON (in a low voice)

Let us pray to the Lord.

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ENTRANCE PRAYER

In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.

DEACON

Wisdom. Arise.

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Mode 2.

Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]

DEACON

The evening Prokeimenon!

CHOIR

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty. [SAAS]

Verse: The Lord clothed and girded Himself with power.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved.

The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty.

The Readings

From Pentecostarion - - -

READER

The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

Is 43:9 – 14

Thus says the Lord: All the nations are gathered together, and the rulers shall be assembled from among them. Who will declare these things or tell us things from the beginning? Let them bring forth their witnesses, and be proven right; and let them speak the truth. “You are My witnesses, and I am a witness,” says the Lord God, “and My Servant whom I chose, that you may know and believe, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no other God, nor shall there be after Me. I am God, and besides Me there is no one who saves. I proclaimed, and I saved. I denounced foreign gods so there were none among you. You are My witnesses, and I am a witness,” says the Lord God. “Even from the beginning, there is no one who can deliver out of My hands; I will work, and who will reverse it?” Thus says the Lord God who redeems you, the Holy One of Israel. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 3:1 – 9

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torture will ever touch them. In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, and their departure was considered to be misfortune, and their passage from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in man’s view they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Though chastened in a few things, great kindness will be shown them, for God tested them and found them worthy of Himself. He tested them like gold in a furnace and accepted them as a whole burnt offering. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and they will run about like sparks through straw. They will judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful shall continue with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His elect [and He watches over His holy ones]. [SAAS]

READER

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

DEACON

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

READER

WSol 5:15 – 6:3

The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; and their care is by the Most High. Therefore they shall receive a kingly dwelling of dignity and a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord, because He will shelter them with His right hand and protect them with His arm. He will take His zeal as His full armor and will turn His creation into weapons against His enemies. He will wear righteousness as a breastplate and put on impartial judgment as a helmet. He will take holiness as an unconquerable shield and sharpen His relentless wrath for a sword; and creation will fight with Him against the senseless. Well-aimed flashes of lightning will strike and leap to their object as from a well-drawn bow of clouds; and hailstones full of anger will be hurled as from an engine of war. The water of the sea will be vexed with them, and the rivers will wash over them severely. A powerful wind will oppose them, and like a storm it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste all the earth, and wrongdoing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations. For power was given to you from the Lord, and your lordship from the Most High. [SAAS]

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

DEACON

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.

Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.

Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.

PRIEST

For You are merciful 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.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

READER

O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. ( Amen. ) [HC]

LITANY OF COMPLETION

DEACON

Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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 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.

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)

Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.

PRIEST (aloud)

Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

Idiomela of the Lity.

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

In harmony of faith, let us spiritually celebrate the worldwide festival, to honor the memory of those who from the beginning of time were pleasing to God: the honorable Patriarchs, the assembly of Prophets, the illustrious Apostles, the corps of the Martyrs, the exemplary Ascetics, all the Saints. They incessantly intercede with God, for world peace, and that He grant our souls His great mercy. [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

O come, all you faithful, let us celebrate the all-glorious memory of All Saints, with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Let us call them blessed and honor them: our Savior’s Baptist, Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, Hierarchs, Teachers, devout Monastics, Ascetics, and the Righteous; and also that God-loving league of holy Women. And with one voice let us pray: “O most benevolent Christ our God, at the intercessions of all Your Saints, grant that there be peace in Your churches; grant that our country prevail over foreign and domestic enemies; and grant that our souls receive Your great mercy.” [GOASD]

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Come, one and all, let us spiritually celebrate the memory of the Saints; for, behold, it is upon us, and it is giving out enriching gifts of grace to us. So let us shout with a joyful voice and a clear conscience, as we salute them and say, “Rejoice, assembly of the Prophets! You declared that Christ would come to the world, and you foresaw as near at hand was yet to come. Rejoice, host of Apostles! You caught the nations in your nets, as fishers of men. Rejoice, corps of Martyrs! From the four corners of the earth, you have come together in the one Faith, and for its sake you endured excruciating tortures, and in the end you received the awards for your contests. Rejoice, apiary of holy Fathers! You withered your own bodies through ascetic discipline. And once you neutralized the carnal passions, your minds were lifted by the love of God, you flew into the heavens; now you celebrate with Angels, and you enjoy the eternal blessings. We entreat you, O Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and Ascetics: Earnestly implore the Lord who gave you the awards, that from enemies, seen and unseen, He rescue us, who with faith and love observe your ever-venerable memory.” [GOASD]

Glory.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 1.

O believers, let us meet up at the festival today. A spiritual banquet is laid for us, with a mystical punch-bowl, a metaphorical buffet, laden of delicious foods, namely the virtues of the Martyrs. These courageous and resolute souls, from the four corners of the earth, presented to God a rational sacrifice, the best years of their lives. For Him they endured many tortures of their bodily members. Some were beheaded, others had limbs cut off and were dismembered. All the Saints shared in the sufferings of Christ. O Lord, we pray You, who awarded them for the torments they endured: Count us worthy to live according to their example, in Your love for humanity. [GOASD]

Both now.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 1.

All-venerable Virgin, you are the temple and the gate, the palace and the throne of the King. Through you did Christ the Lord, my redeemer, appear to those who lay asleep in darkness; for He, the Sun of Righteousness, wished to enlighten those whom He formed in His own image with His very own hand. O all-lauded Lady, since you have acquired maternal confidence towards Him, we implore you, intercede unceasingly, and entreat Him to save our souls. [GOASD]

DEACON

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

CHOIR (after each petition)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

DEACON

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.

Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.

PRIEST

Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. For You are merciful 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.

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

Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,

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, the Service in whose honor we celebrate; 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 Saints, whose memory we celebrate today;

Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.

PRIEST or: CHOIR

Hymn to the Theotokos.

O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]

DEACON

Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR

Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Blessing of the Loaves.

Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.

For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR

Amen.

CLERGY

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]

CHOIR

Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (2) [SAAS]

CHOIR

Resurrectional Aposticha.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 4.

Jesus, You descended from heaven, and You ascended the Cross. You, who are immortal life, came in order to die. You, who are the true light, went to those who sat in darkness, the resurrection of all, to those who were fallen. Our enlightener and Savior, glory to You! [GOASD]

Verse: The Lord reigns; He clothed Himself with majesty; the Lord clothed and girded Himself with power. [SAAS]

Let us glorify Christ who has risen from the dead. He had assumed both a soul and a body, and enduring His Passion He separated them. His immaculate soul went down to Hades, and He devastated it, while in the grave the holy body of the Redeemer of our souls did not see corruption nor undergo decay. [GOASD]

Verse: And He established the world, which shall not be moved. [SAAS]

With Psalms and hymns we glorify Your resurrection from the dead, through which You, O Christ, freed us from the tyranny of Hades, and as God You gave to the world life eternal and the great mercy. [GOASD]

Verse: Holiness is proper to Your house, O Lord, unto length of days. [SAAS]

O Master of the universe, incomprehensible Maker of heaven and earth, through Your Passion and the Cross, You became for me a fount of dispassion. You consented to be buried, then You rose again in glory, raising Adam with yourself by Your almighty hand. Glory to Your resurrection on the third day! Through it You have given us eternal life and forgiveness of sins, O supremely compassionate Lord. [GOASD]

Glory. For the Saints.

From Pentecostarion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Come, believers, let us strike up a chorus today; let us reverently celebrate and splendidly honor the glorious and solemn memory of all the Saints; and let us salute them and say, “Rejoice! O glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and Hierarchs! Rejoice! O devout Monastics and the Righteous! Rejoice! O host of honorable Women! All Saints, intercede with Christ on behalf of the world, and pray that He enable our leaders to protect us from foreign enemies, and that He grant our souls the great mercy.” [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode pl. 2.

My Creator and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, clothed himself in me and was born from your womb, and He freed Adam from the ancient curse. And now, O all-pure one, we address you as the truly virgin Mother of God, and unceasingly we sing to you the Angel’s salutation: O Lady, Rejoice! You are our defense and protection and salvation of our souls. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of prayers

PRIEST

Song of Simeon

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]

PEOPLE

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.

From Octoechos - - -

Resurrectional Apolytikion.

Mode pl. 4.

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and consented to a three-day burial, to free us from the passions. O Lord, our life and resurrection, glory to You! [GOASD]

For the Apostles.

Mode 3.

O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. [SD]

Glory. For the Saints.

Mode 4.

Your Church is arrayed in the holy blood of Your Martyrs who witnessed throughout the world, as though in purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to You, Christ our God, “Send down to Your people Your tender love, grant peace from above to Your commonwealth, and to our souls Your great mercy.” [SD]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 4.

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

PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, 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.

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, the Service in whose honor we celebrate; 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.

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

CHOIR

Amen.