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Menaion - July 5

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

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 3.

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

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

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

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

Apolytikion.

From 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]

Glory. Repeat.

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]

Both now. Theotokion.

From Octoechos - - -

Mode 3.

Virgin Theotokos, we sing hymns extolling you, through whom came humanity’s salvation. For your Son and our God, who is benevolent, accepted the Passion and the crucifixion, in the flesh that He assumed from you, and thus from destruction He rescued us. [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 Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Joseph marveled.

Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.

On your shoulders you took up the yoke and Cross of Christ, * and religiously, O Saint Athanasius, through feats * of ascetic endeavor, you followed Him. * And you became for all virtuous monks and nuns * the model and the rule of the monastic life. * Having attained the royal courts in heaven, by your godly efforts, O glorious Saint, * we pray you cease not from interceding * with the Savior, that He save our souls. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

As the Prophet sang, so I cry out to You: Enter not * into judgment with me, Lord. I am aware of my sins * that are accusing me, and so I cry to You: * Have mercy, through the prayers of Your Mother, on me * Your lowly and unworthy servant, as of old * You had mercy on the Robber and Harlot, * the Prodigal and Publican, in Your benevolence. * O Christ, You came not to save the righteous, * but rather to save guilty sinners like me. [SD]

Kathisma II.

Mode 4. You appeared today.

By your life of purity and godly actions, * O devout and holy man, * you were well-pleasing to the Lord, * and you were granted the lot of the bodiless angels, * O wise Athanasius. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Theotokion. Same Melody.

As the ready advocate * for those who trust you, * overlook me not, I pray, * but from the perils set me free, * O Theotokos, the help of all, * and for the needy, defense unassailable. [SD]

READER

Psalm 50 (51).

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

Kontakion.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. O Champion General.

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ.

Best contemplator of essences immaterial * and expert teacher of active ascetic discipline, * we your brotherhood extol you, O Saint, and cry out: * Never cease entreating Christ the Lord on our behalf, * that He free us from temptations and adversities, * as we cry to you: Rejoice, O Father Athanasius! [SD]

Oikos.

Marvelously receiving your vocation from heaven, you were appointed for life immortal. With your body on earth, you pursued a way of life emulating the bodiless, and you became impervious to passions. Hence we praise you, Father. [SD]

Rejoice! Glowing glory of monastics! Rejoice! Fiery pillar of prudence!

Rejoice! Magnificent paragon of bravery! Rejoice! Exemplar of all wisdom and common sense!

Rejoice! You meted out accurate justice by an impartial rule. Rejoice! You measured with reason the force of what needed to be done.

Rejoice! Your mind was delighted by mystical concepts. Rejoice! Through eyes of faith you examined all creation.

Rejoice! Through you the demons were put to shame. Rejoice! Through you the passions were put to death.

Rejoice! You shield those whom life’s storm has battered. Rejoice! You save those who faithfully cry out:

Rejoice, O Father Athanasius!

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On July 5 we commemorate our devout and God-bearing Father Athanasius of Athos.

On this day we also commemorate our devout Father Lampadus.

We also commemorate the devout monastic Martyr Cyprian the New who witnessed in Constantinople in the year 1679.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Theotokos

Ode i. Mode 4.

I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her miracles. [GOASD]

Ode iii.

Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * and graciously in your divine glory give glorious crowns to them. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

When the Prophet Habakkuk heard the divine * and incomprehensible counsel of Your Incarnation * from the Virgin, O Most High, * considering, he cried aloud: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God. [GOASD]

Ode v.

Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

O godly-minded believers, come * and celebrate this sacred and venerable feast and thus extol * the Theotokos, and clap our hands, * and glorify our God who was truly born of her. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.” [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Guiltless were those Servants in the furnace. * The Son of the Theotokos went and rescued them. * He who was prefigured then, * having been incarnate now, * is gathering the whole wide world into His Church to sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.” [GOASD]

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 4.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]

Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]

Ode 9: Katavasia

Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 4.

All you born on earth, * with festival lamps in hand, in spirit leap for joy; * and all you the heavenly angelic orders, join in and celebrate; * and honoring the sacred wonders of the Mother of God, * sing the joyful salutation, “O rejoice, * Theotokos, all-blest, ever-virgin pure!” [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.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

From eastern lands you rose like the sun, O father, * shining with brilliant, splendid light, Athanasius, * and you illumined the western lands * with your virtues’ resplendent light. * We pray, cease not interceding * with the Lord on behalf of the world. [SD]

Theotokion.

Mode 2. With the disciples.

All-noble Queen of all, accept the entreaties * of Athanasius, your most honorable servant, * and protect this flock of yours, preserving it * untouched by any adversity. * Unceasingly we extol you, * the world’s defense and protection. [SD]

Lauds. Mode pl. 4.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]

Show Stichologia

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.

For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.

He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.

Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.

Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.

His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.

A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.

Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.

Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.

Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.

For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.

The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.

The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.

To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.

To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.

To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.

Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera. For the Devout Man.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.

Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.

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

Precious indeed in Your sight is the death of Your holy one, * as the Psalmist declared, O Christ. * For, behold, Your servant has sprung a fountain of blood from his foot; * and it was streaming after his precious death. * It drove away every illness and disease. * Also it put to flight * evil spirits, against which when still alive * he had held his ground in battle to the point of blood. [SD]

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

Precious indeed in Your sight is the death of Your holy one, * as the Psalmist declared, O Christ. * For, behold, Your servant has sprung a fountain of blood from his foot; * and it was streaming after his precious death. * It drove away every illness and disease. * Also it put to flight * evil spirits, against which when still alive * he had held his ground in battle to the point of blood. [SD]

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

All-wise Athanasius, God has made your reliquary a well, * from which people draw miracles, * and a river teaming with * gifts and bounties of grace divine. * For it has given their vision to the blind, * and it has cleared skin disorders, and it cured * elephantiasis. * It frees people from possession by unclean * spirits and their influence, and makes them sane again. [SD]

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

Father Athanasius, we sing the salutation, Rejoice! * Star of monks and the ornament * of ascetics and the boast * of the pastors, you dwell with the Saints. * Rejoice! O wellspring of love and self-restraint! * Rejoice! O host of the Holy Trinity! * Splendidly shining lamp * of discernment! Straightest measure and the rule * and the living monument of every virtue: Rejoice! [SD]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode pl. 2.

Athanasius: His name means immortality. Let us all extol him. He practiced asceticism on Mt. Athos, manfully and courageously. He assembled this brotherhood like a flock. With longing and love He erected a house to the Lord, and he dedicated it to the Mother of God. He intercedes with her on behalf of us, who faithfully observe his memory. [SD]

From Octoechos - - -

Both now. Theotokion.

Mode pl. 4.

Lady, receive the supplications of your servants, and rescue us from all necessity and affliction. [SD]

Stand for the Great Doxology.

Great Doxology

Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.

Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.

For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.

Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.

Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.

Continue Your mercy to those who know You.

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

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

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

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Apolytikion.

From 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]