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Hieratikon

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Menaion - July 5

Memory of our Devout and God-bearing Father Athanasius of Athos

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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Antiphon 1. Mode 2.

Verse 1: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything within me, bless His holy name. [SAAS]

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His rewards.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Verse 3: The Lord prepared His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.

Antiphon 2. Mode 2.

Verse 1: Praise the Lord, O my soul! I shall praise the Lord while I live; I shall sing to my God as long as I exist. [SAAS]

Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 2: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; his hope is in the Lord his God.

Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Verse 3: The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Only-begotten Son and Logos of God, being immortal, You condescended for our salvation to take flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and, without change, became man. Christ, our God, You were crucified and conquered death by death. Being one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit: Save us.

Antiphon 3.

Mode 3.

Verse 1: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]

Verse 2: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Angelic hosts on high were filled with wonderment, seeing your life in the flesh: how with your body you courageously went out to wrestle with invisible foes; and to the demonic hordes you inflicted serious wounds. Therefore, Athanasios, you received from the Master Christ, a wealth of gifts. Holy Father, intercede on our behalf with Christ our God, to save our souls. [SD]

An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.

Psalm 102.

Psalm 145.

The Beatitudes.

Mode pl. 4.

In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]

Canon for St. Athanasios.

Ode iii. Mode pl. 4. In the beginning.

Ὁ στερεώσας κατʼ ἀρχάς.

From Menaion - - -

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]

O Athanasios, consumed * with love for God from your childhood, * you would form into a group other children, * who were similar in age, * and spiritually tutor them; * and wisely you convinced them * to put aside all their childish ways. [GOASD]

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]

Your love of learning made you go * to the imperial city, * which at that time was called Constantinople. * Like a honey bee, O Saint, * you gathered and you wisely kept * the beneficial teachings, * and you ignored what was meaningless. [GOASD]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]

You steered the vessel of your soul, * having the Cross of Savior * as your sail, and you successfully traveled * the tumultuous and hard * journey of this temporal life, * O blessed father, reaching * the tranquil harbor of life with God. [GOASD]

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]

Theotokion.

Before all time, the divine Word * ineffably was begotten * of the Father; then in due time He came forth * from your womb, O Virgin pure, * and deified humanity, * and famously attracted * devout monastics to be with Him. [GOASD]

Canon for St. Athanasios.

From Menaion - - -

Ode vi. Mode pl. 4. Be gracious to me.

Ἱλάσθητί μοι Σωτήρ.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]

By labors you put to death * carnal desires and crucified * yourself to the world, O Saint, * and the passions of the flesh, * serving God unceasingly, * with fasting and weeping, * always praying, always singing hymns. [GOASD]

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]

The leader of many monks * were you on Athos, that holy mount. * The model were you of all * virtuous activity. * You adorned the way of life * of devout monastics * and the celibates residing there. [GOASD]

Glory.

Straightforward, pleasant and sweet, * moderate, fair and respectable, * affable, friendly, and kind, * sympathetic, merciful, * cheerful and compassionate * were your Christian manners, * for you imitated Christ the Lord. [GOASD]

Both now. Theotokion.

As Moses built long ago * the tabernacle, so also you, * all-ven’rable father, built * the Great Lavra on the mount, and you dedicated it * to the Theotokos * and expanded it through sweat and tears. [GOASD]

Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.

Hymns after the Entrance.

Apolytikion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Angelic hosts on high were filled with wonderment, seeing your life in the flesh: how with your body you courageously went out to wrestle with invisible foes; and to the demonic hordes you inflicted serious wounds. Therefore, Athanasios, you received from the Master Christ, a wealth of gifts. Holy Father, intercede on our behalf with Christ our God, to save our souls. [SD]

The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:

Kontakion. Mode 2.

O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession with the Creator that never fails, we sinners beg you, do not ignore the voices of our prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who protect now and ever those who honor you. [SD]

Trisagios Hymn

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

The Epistle

For the Devout Man.

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.

The holy ones shall boast in glory. [SAAS]

Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song. [SAAS]

The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.

Gal. 5:22 – 26; 6:1 – 2

Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [RSV]

Alleluia. Mode 1. Psalm 111.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 1: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord. [SAAS]

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Verse 2: His righteousness continues unto ages of ages.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Gospel

For the Devout Man.

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Mt. 11:27 – 30

The Lord said to his disciples, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [RSV]

Hymn to the Theotokos.

It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Communion Hymn. Psalm 111/112.

The righteous will be remembered for ever. Alleluia. [RSV]

Hymn after Holy Communion.

Mode 2.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.

DISMISSAL

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, our devout and God-bearing father Athanasius of Athos, whose memory we celebrate, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Fasting Rule

Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.

It is a Wednesday or Friday.