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Menaion - August 1

The Procession of the Holy Cross; and Memory of the Seven Holy Martyrs, the Maccabees, their Teacher Eleazar, and their Mother Solomone.

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MATINS

[Note: Wherever the Procession and Veneration of the Holy Cross will take place (see notes in the Typikon and the Menaion on 1 Aug), according to the order followed on the Third Sunday of Lent (at the end of the Great Doxology of Matins), after the ceremony sing, “Save, O Lord, Your people…” At the Divine Liturgy, use the Antiphons of the Third Sunday of Lent; and instead of “Holy God…” sing, “We venerate Your Cross…”]

CHOIR

Mode 1.

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. For the Saints.

Mode 1.

The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, O only benevolent God. [SD]

Glory. Repeat.

Both now. For the Cross.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [SD]

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 1. The soldiers keeping watch.

Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.

All mortal nature, come, celebrate all together * and mystically exult; for today is presented * the wood of the precious Cross, as a free source of cures and health, * unto those who run to it with reverence and longing * and give glory to the Master crucified on it, * to Christ who is benevolent. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

All mortal nature, come, celebrate all together * and mystically exult; for today is presented * the wood of the precious Cross, as a free source of cures and health, * unto those who run to it with reverence and longing * and give glory to the Master crucified on it, * to Christ who is benevolent. [SD]

Kathisma II.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. You appeared today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

The procession of the Cross, which is today celebrated, * is the cause of heartfelt joy, * because it sanctifies the souls * and bodies likewise of those of us * who venerate it with fear and with faith and love. [SD]

Glory. Both now. Repeat.

The procession of the Cross, which is today celebrated, * is the cause of heartfelt joy, * because it sanctifies the souls * and bodies likewise of those of us * who venerate it with fear and with faith and love. [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. For the Cross.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. Automelon.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

You who were lifted on the cross voluntarily, * O Christ our God, bestow Your tender compassions * upon Your new community to which You gave Your name. * Cause our faithful emperors to be glad in Your power, * granting them the victories against their adversaries. * And for an ally, Lord, may they have You, * peace as their armor, the trophy invincible. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

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

Most wise Maccabees, ⁄ seven pillars of the wisdom of God; ⁄ a divinely lit seven-branched candlestick! ⁄ Great martyrs before the martyrs of Christ: ⁄⁄ Join them in asking the God of all to save those who honor you! [OCA]

Oikos.

Ardently praise your God, O Zion, for He strengthens the bars of your gates and He blesses your children. And they, like a triumphant army, a truly courageous and fierce array, with godly demeanor withstood the schemes of the ungodly. And now we pray you, as you enjoy the rewards of victory in heavenly Zion, standing near the throne of God, that you never cease to entreat on behalf of all, and pray for the salvation of those who honor you. [GOASD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On August 1 is the procession of the precious and life-giving Cross. We also commemorate the seven holy Martyrs, the Maccabees: Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus; and their mother Solomone; and Eleazar their teacher.

On this day we also commemorate the nine holy Martyrs who contested in Perga, Pamphylia: Leontius, Attus, Alexander, Cindeus, Mnesitheus, Kyriacus, Menaius, Catunus, And Eucleus.

On this day Saint Papas the New died when he was put into a sack, enclosed in a basket, and thrown into the sea.

On this day the holy Martyr Eleazar died when his head was burned with fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Kerycus died by fire.

On this day the holy Martyr Theodore died by the sword.

On this day Saint Polyefktos died after he was buried in manure.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyrs Menes, Menaius,and the others in the Quarter of Viglentium, near the Bronze Tetrapylon.

On this day we also commemorate our father among the saints Timothy, Bishop of Proconnesus, the Wonderworker.

We also commemorate the devout Martyr Elesa, who contested on the island of Kythera.

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

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of the Cross

Ode i. Mode pl. 4.

Moses prefigured the Cross. * Lifting up the rod, he stretched out his hand and split the Sea for Israel to cross on land. * Then he stretched it out again, * and the sea returned and covered Pharaoh’s chariots. * The Cross was thus portrayed as our invincible armor. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified. [GOASD]

Ode iii.

The rod of Aaron is seen as typifying the mystery; * for it budded, and thus was the priest selected. * Now in the Church, that was barren once, the Cross of Christ, like a tree, * has blossomed forth, * as power and a firm support. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

I have heard the report, O Lord, * of Your incarnation, which is a mystery. * I considered Your astounding works, * and I glorified Your divinity. [GOASD]

Ode v.

Tree of the Cross, you are thrice-blessed, * for Jesus Christ, who is King and Lord, was crucified on you. * Through you fallen is the one who by a tree deceived us, * for he was lured by God who in the flesh indeed * was hung and nailed to you, * and who grants to our souls His peace. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

In the belly of the sea beast * the prophet Jonah prayed with his arms extended crosswise; * thus he clearly prefigured the saving Passion of Christ. * When after three days he emerged, * he was depicting the supernal resurrection from the dead * of Christ God, who was physically nailed to the Cross * and by His third-day arising illumined the universe. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

The impious tyrant’s preposterous decree disturbed the populace, * breathing threats and blasphemous pronouncements hateful to God. * His brutal anger did not intimidate * the three Servants, nor did the consuming fire. * But when the dew-laden breeze whistled against the fire, they joined it and together sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord. You are highly praised, O God, the God of our fathers.” [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

You three pious Servants, * same in number as the Trinity, * bless God the Father, Maker of all; * sing a hymn to the Word who condescended * and who changed the fire in the furnace into dew; * as for the all-holy Spirit, who gives life to all, exalt Him * beyond measure unto the ages. [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 pl. 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 pl. 4.

Theotokos, you are mystical Paradise, * for without husbandry you have blossomed Christ, * by whom on earth the Cross, as a life-bearing tree, has been planted and watered. * As it is now exalted, * we adore Him and worship Him and magnify you. [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. N/M (With the disciples.)

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

Let us sing the praises of the Maccabees, ⁄ children of Eleazar and Solomonia, ⁄ for they laid low the arrogance of the enemy ⁄⁄ and were crowned in the service of the law! [OCA]

For the Cross.

Mode 2. With the disciples.

Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.

O Cross, you are the guardian of the whole world. * O Cross, you are the height of the Church’s beauty. * O Cross, you are what strengthened the Emperors. * O Cross, the believers’ firm support. * O Cross, the glory of Angels * and the defeat of the demons. [SD]

Lauds. Mode 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.

Hide Stichologia

Stichera for the Cross.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4. To a brave one.

Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.

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

Let us shout with exultant joy, and in odes let us magnify * the all-precious Cross and salute it with a kiss. * And let us cry out to it and say, * “O Cross ever-ven’rable, by the power you possess, * sanctify us in every way, soul and body too. * From all manner of injury arising from our enemies preserve us * who venerate you in piety.” [SD]

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

Come, believers, and faithfully * draw the waters that never fail, * issuing abundantly by the Cross’s grace, * as we behold set before us now * the wood of the holy tree, * yes, the wellspring of the gifts * of the Spirit, which is itself * watered by the blood * and the water that issued from the Master who was willingly exalted * thereon, exalting humanity. [SD]

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

The support of the Church are you, * and the strength of the emperors; * boast of the monastics and their deliverance * are you, all-ven’rable Cross of Christ. * And now as we venerate * you today, our hearts and souls * are illumined ineffably by the grace divine * of the Lord who was nailed to you and brought down * the dominion of the sly one, * and who abolished the ancient curse. [SD]

For the Saints.

From Menaion - - -

Idiomelon. Mode 1.

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

The mother who labored greatly ⁄ called her own children to the struggle, saying: ⁄ Follow the venerable Abraham and share in the slaying of Isaac! ⁄ They accepted her guidance and followed what she taught. ⁄ They beheld one another paying the penalty of torture. ⁄⁄ By their prayers, O God, have mercy on us. [OCA]

Idiomelon. Mode 4.

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

Seven chosen pillars were hewn from one living rock ⁄ and they showed the tower of the law to be unshaken. ⁄⁄ Through them, Savior, preserve our souls in peace. [OCA]

Idiomelon. Mode pl. 1.

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

The sons of Solomonia, the guardians of the law, ⁄ cried aloud as they strove in the arena: ⁄ Antiochus, we stand fast for the law of our fathers. ⁄ Neither fire, nor sword nor wild beasts nor flogging shall part us! ⁄ Together we shall die with our mother, our teacher and father, ⁄⁄ living and rejoicing throughout all ages! [OCA]

Glory.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

War has been raised against the Maccabees: ⁄ Come, faithful, and behold their courage! ⁄ The king and tyrant who ruled over all nations ⁄ was conquered by an old man, seven children and a woman! ⁄⁄ By their prayers, O God, have mercy on us. [OCA]

Both now. For the Cross.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 4.

O Lord, you fought as an ally of David, the most meek king, to subdue the Philistine. Will you now likewise fight for our faithful leader; and subdue our enemies, with the weapon of the Cross. Demonstrate on us the mercy you showed in times past, O compassionate Lord; and let them surely know that you are God, and that we are victorious because we have trusted in you, and because your immaculate Mother intercedes that you give us your great mercy. [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. For the Martyrs.

Mode 1.

The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, O only benevolent God. [SD]