Palm Sunday

PALM SUNDAY
Festal Tone - Festal Eothinon

ENTRANCE HYMN

Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.

O Son of God, who entered Jerusalem in great glory,
save us who sing to you: Alleluia!

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(HYMNS OF THE DAY AND SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE ONE

O Christ God, when you raised Lazarus from the dead, before the time of your passion, you confirmed the future resurrection of all. We too, like the children of old, carry before you the symbols of your triumph and victory and cry out to you, the Conqueror of Death: Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. (twice)

TROPARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE FOUR

O Christ God, we have been buried with you in baptism: wherefore we merited eternal life through your resurrection. We cry out to you, singing a hymn of praise: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. (once)

KONTAKION OF THE FEAST IN TONE SIX

O Christ God, enthroned in heaven, and on earth riding upon an ass: You have accepted the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children who were crying out to you: Blessed are you who come to restore Adam.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY or GRADUAL)

Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD!
God is the Lord, and He has appeared to us.

Sing to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE PHILEMON

BRETHREN: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

ALLELUIA

O sing to the LORD a new song, for the Lord has done wonderful works!

All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

MEGALYNARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE FOUR

The Lord is God and he has appeared to us. Therefore let us celebrate and sing for joy. Come, let us glorify Christ, and with palms and branches, sing to him canticles of praise: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord our Saviour!

KINONIKON
(COMMUNION HYMN)

Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
The Lord is God and He has appeared to us.

POST-COMMUNION HYMN

O Christ God, when You raised Lazarus from the dead before the time of your passion, You confirmed the future resurrection of all. We too, like the children of old, carry before You the symbols of victory, and cry out to You O conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Saturday of Lazarus

Saturday of Lazarus
Festal Tone - Festal Eothinon

ENTRANCE HYMN

O Son of God, who are risen from the dead,
save us who sing to you: Alleluia!

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(HYMNS OF THE DAY AND SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE ONE
O Christ God, when you raised Lazarus from the dead, before the time of your passion, you confirmed the future resurrection of all. We too, like the children of old, carry before you the symbols of your triumph and victory and cry out to you, the Conqueror of Death: Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. (three times)

KONTAKION OF THE FEAST IN TONE TWO
Christ, the Joy of All, Truth, Light, Life and Resurrection of the world, appeared to men on earth in His great generosity, becoming the first example of the Resurrection and granting Divine Mercy to all.

Instead of “Holy God…”

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!

PROKIMENON

The lord is my light and my savior! Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

Brethren: Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?" Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

ALLELUIA

The lord reigns! He is robed in majesty!

He has established the world so that it shall never be moved!

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST JOHN

At that time: A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go into Judea again." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep." The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world." When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled; and he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him.

HIRMOS IN TONE EIGHT

Come, you nations of the world: Let us honor with hymns of glory the pure Mother of God who carried Divine Fire in her womb and yet was not burned. Let us magnify her with constant hymns of praise.

KINONIKON

From the mouth of sucklings and babes You have prepared a hymn. Alleluia

Fifth Sunday of Lent

TROPARION OF THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT IN TONE EIGHT

In you, O Mother Mary, the faithful image of God shone forth, for you carried your cross and followed Christ. You taught by your deeds how to spurn the body, for it passes away and how to value the soul, for it is immortal. Wherefore you soul is forever in happiness with the angels.

TROPARION OF THE MARTYRS IN TONE THREE

Brought together by the Holy Spirit, you became a triumphant army, O illustrious forty martyrs, victorious athletes of Christ! Tried by fire and by water, you were radiantly glorified. Entreat the Most High Trinity to grant us great mercy.

LITURGY OF THE WORD
PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY—GRADUAL)

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them:
let all round about Him bring gifts to the awesome Lord.

God is renowned in Judah; in Israel, great is His Name!

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
(for the Forty Martyrs of Sebastea)

BRETHREN: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? — "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

ALLELUIA

Come, let us sing to the Lord
And shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.

Let us approach Him with praise and thanksgiving
And sing joyful songs to the Lord.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK

AT THAT TIME: One And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Fourth Sunday of Lent

For the hymns and readings for the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent, go here.

Third Sunday of Lent

The readings and hymns for the Third Sunday of Lent may be found here.

Hymns and Readings - Sunday of Forgiveness

3 February 2008
Cheesefare Sunday
Synaxis of Simeon the Just and Anna the Prophetess

Tone Three - Eothinon Three

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE THREE

Let all in Heaven rejoice and all on earth be glad. For the Lord has exerted power with His arm: By death He has trampled upon death and has become the first-born from the dead. He has delivered us from the bosom of Hades and has granted to the world great mercy.

KONTAKION OF THE SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS IN TONE SIX

O You who guide men towards wisdom and give them intelligence and understanding, Instructor of the ignorant and Helper of the poor: strengthen and enlighten my heart, O Lord; give me word, O Word of the Father, for behold I will not refrain my lips from crying out to You: O Merciful One, have mercy on me who have fallen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(Responsory from the Psalter)

Sing praise to our God, sing praise!
Sing praise to our King, sing praise!

All you peoples, clap your hands!
Shout to God with cries of gladness.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS

BRETHREN: Our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand.

ALLELUIA

In You, O Lord, I have hoped: let me never be put to shame.
In Your Just ice, save me and deliver me.

Be for me a protecting God, a sheltering house to save me.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

The Lord said: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

HIRMOS IN TONE THREE
(also call the “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever blessed and all blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word, you are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights! Alleluia.

Hymns and Readings - Sunday of the Last Judgment

27 January 2008
Meatfare Sunday
Commemoration of Transfer of the Relics of St John Chrysostom

Tone Two — Eothinon Four


TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymns)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE TWO
When You descended to death, O immortal Life, You destroyed Hades by the splendor of Your divinity, and when You raised the dead from below the earth, all the heavenly powers cried out to You: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You.

TROPARION OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM IN TONE EIGHT
The Grace that shines forth from your mouth like a torch has enlightened the universe, bestowed treasures of generosity upon the world, and shown us the heights of humility. While you teach us through your words, pray to the Word, Christ our God, that He may save our souls.

KONTAKION OF THE LAST JUDGMENT IN TONE ONE
O God, when You shall come down upon earth in your glory, every creature shall tremble before You. A river of fire shall flow before your judgment-seat, the books shall be opened and all secrets revealed. On that day, O Just Judge, deliver me from eternal fire and make me worthy to stand at your right.

KONTAKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN TONE ONE
O Christ our God who through your birth have sanctified the virginal womb and have now blessed the arms of Simeon, today You have come to save us. O Lord, when wars prevail, keep your people in peace and strengthen our Public Authorities in every good deed, for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(Responsory from the Psalter)

My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

BRETHREN: It was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

ALLELUIA

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

THE LORD SAID: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

HIRMOS IN TONE FIVE
(A “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin — sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Refrain: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise him in the heights!

Verse1: For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered for ever.

Verse2: He is not afraid of evil tidings;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

Hymns and Readings - Sunday of the Prodigal Son

20 January 2008
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Commemoration of St Euthymios the Great

Tone One - Eothinon Three

Troparia and Kontakion
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymns)

Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone One

While the stone was sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were watching your sacred body, You rose, O Savior, on the third day, giving life to the world. Wherefore, O Giver of life, the Powers of heaven cried out: Glory to your Resurrection, O Christ, glory to your Kingdom, glory to your Plan of Redemption, O, You who alone are the Lover of mankind.

Troparion of Euthymios the Great in Tone Four

Joy to you, barren wilderness, rejoice, sterile desert that never have known the travail of birth, for the man of desires has multiplied your children; he has planted them in devotion and piety and made them grow in detachment for the sake of perfect virtue. Through his supplications, Christ God, give peace to our lives!

Kontakion of the Prodigal Son in Tone Three

When in my wretchedness I ran away from your fatherly love, I squandered in wickedness the riches You had given me. And so now, like the Prodigal Son, I cry out to you: I have sinned in your sight, O Merciful Father: receive me now that I repent and make me as one of your hired servants.

Kontakion of the Presentation of Christ in Tone One

O Christ our God who through your birth have sanctified the virginal womb and have now blessed the arms of Simeon, today You have come to save us. O Lord, when wars prevail, keep your people in peace and strengthen our Public Authorities in every good deed, for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.

Liturgy of the Word

Prokimenon
(Responsory from the Psalter)

Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.

Alleluia! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights!

The Reading from the Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians

Brethren: It is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Alleluia

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!

Wealth and riches are in his house;
and his righteousness endures forever.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

The Lord spoke this parable: There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.” And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.’” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”


Hirmos in Tone Five
(A “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin — sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

Communion Hymn

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise him in the heights!

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

Sunday after Theophany
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
13 January 2008

Tone Eight - Eothinon Two

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE EIGHT
You descended from on high O Compassionate One; and consented to burial for three days that You might free us from suffering. O Lord our life and our resurrection, glory to You!

TROPARION OF THE THEOPHANY IN TONE ONE
At your Baptism in the Jordan River, O Christ, the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest, for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You ‘Beloved Son’ , and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the immutability of this declaration. O Christ God who came forth and fill the world with light, glory to You!

KONTAKION OF THE THEOPHANY OF CHRIST IN TONE FOUR
Today You have appeared, O Lord, to the universe, and your light, O Christ our God, has been impressed up on us who sing to You with full knowledge: You came and appeared, O Inaccessible Light!

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

Make your vows to the LORD your God, and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.

In Judah God is known, his name is great in Israel.

THE READING FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE ST PAUL TO TIMOTHY

TIMOTHY, MY SON: You have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

ALLELUIA

O Come, let us sing to the Lord
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.

Let us approach Him with praise and thanksgiving
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE

THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

HIRMOS IN TONE FIVE
(A “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin — sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise him in the heights!

Hymns and Readings for Sunday - Theophany

6 January 2008

The Great Feast of the Baptism
and Theophany of our Lord

Festal Tone — Festal Eothinon

Little Entrance Hymn

Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Lord is God and has appeared to us.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ.
O Son of God, Who were baptized by John in the Jordan River:
save us who sing to You: Alleluia.

Troparia and Kontakion
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

Troparion of the Theophany in Tone One (sung three times)

At your Baptism in the Jordan River, O Christ, the worship due to the Holy Trinity was made manifest, for the voice of the Father bore You witness by calling You ‘Beloved Son’ , and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the immutability of this declaration. O Christ God who came forth and fill the world with light, glory to You!

Hypacoe of the Theophany in Tone Two

When You enlightened all things at the time of your manifestation, the sea of unbelief ebbed away and the Jordan River reversed its course, flowing uphill and carrying us to Heaven. Through the prayers of your Mother, O Christ God, keep us in the loftiness of your divine commands and save us.

Kontakion of the Theophany in Tone Three

Today You have appeared, O Lord, to the universe, and your light, O Christ our God, has been impressed up on us who sing to You with full knowledge: You came and appeared, O Inaccessible Light!

Instead of the Trisagion Hymn ("Holy God, Holy and Mighty…")

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!

Liturgy of the Word

Prokimenon
(Responsory from the Psalter)

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

God is the Lord and has revealed to us Light!

The reading from the Epistle St Paul to Titus

My son, Titus: The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Alleluia

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

At that time: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Hirmos in Tone Two

O my soul, magnify the one who is more honorable and glorious than the Heavenly Powers. O Mother of God, when it comes to singing proper praise to you, every tongue and language are at a loss. Even supernatural intelligences are rapt in wonder when it comes to rendering honor to you. But in your graciousness, and because you know our holy longing to sing your praise, be pleased to accept our faith. Intercessors of Christians, we exalt you!

Communion Hymn

The grace of God our Saviour has appeared to all men. Alleluia


BLESSING OF THE WATER AT THEOPHANY

After the Prayer Behind the Ambon, the clergy go in procession, with lanterns and censer, to the place where the Blessing of the Water is to take place. In normal practice today, a large vessel of water is prepared on a special table in the center of the Church.

IDEOMELA IN TONE EIGHT

The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud, saying: Come all of you, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ who is made manifest.

Today the nature of the waters is sanctified, and the Jordan is parted in two; it holds back the stream of its own waters, seeing the Master wash himself.

O Christ the King, You have come to the river as a man, and in Your goodness You make haste to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner for the sake of our sins, O You who love mankind.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord,' You have come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant, and You who do not know sin ask for baptism. The waters saw You and were afraid; the Forerunner was seized with trembling and cried aloud, saying: How shall the lamp illuminate the Light? How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master? O Savior who lake away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters.

THE READINGS

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: "Lo, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call nations that you know not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. "For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off."

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

PROKIMENON
Tone Three

R. The Lord is my Light and my Savior: whom shall I fear?

V. The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: The reading from the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Priest: Let us be attentive.

Reader: BRETHREN: I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural food and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Priest: Peace to you, reader.

ALLELUIA
Tone Two

My heart has uttered a good word. I declare my works to the King.

You are more handsome than the sons of men:
grace has poured forth from your lips.
For this cause, God has blessed you forever.

THE GOSPEL

Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace to all!

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: The reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1: 9-11)

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You!

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Priest: AT THAT TIME: Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."

All: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to You!

LITANY OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord

All: Lord, have mercy. (After each petition)

For peace from on high, and the salvation of our souls, let us play to the Lord.

For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us play to the Lord

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

For our father and (Arch) Bishop N, the reverend priests, the deacons in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us play to the Lord.

For this city, for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord.

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

For the travelers by sea, air and land, for the sick, the suffering for those in captivity and for their salvation let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may be sanctified by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the purifying action of the Supersubstantial Trinity may descend upon this water, let us pray to the Lord.

That the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan may be sent down into it by the power, action and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may swiftly crush Satan beneath our feet, and that every counsel that is directed against us by the Evil One may be made of no effect, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God will deliver us from every attack and temptation of the Adversary, and make us worthy of the good things that are promised, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be illumined with the light of understanding and piety through the descent of the Holy Spirit, Let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may become a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a cure for the soul and body and become beneficial for every need, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may send down the blessing of the Jordan and sanctify this water, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may become a fountain springing up to eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

That this water may prove effective to avert every plot of our visible and invisible enemies, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who drink of this water, and take it with them for the sanctification of their homes let us pray to the Lord.

That it may be for those who drink and receive it in faith, a purification of their souls and bodies, let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be worthy to be filled with sanctification, as we receive of this water, through the coming of the Holy Spirit in an invisible manner, let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord our God may hear the voice of our supplication, let us pray to the Lord.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, 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, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

PRAYER OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

During the Litany, the priest begins the Prayer of the Blessing of the Water. When the Litany ends, he continues aloud in place, if necessary, having stopped at the following proclamation:

Great are You O Lord + and marvelous are Your works, and no word is sufficient to praise Your marvels. (Three times)

All: Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You (after each proclamation)

The priest continues the prayer aloud, making the sign of the cross over the water at the following proclamation:

Therefore, O King and Lover of Mankind, also be present now through the descent of Your Holy Spirit and sanctify + this water. (Three limes)

All: Amen. (After each proclamation)

Again, the priest continues the prayer aloud up to the following proclamation:

Therefore, O Master, sanctify + this water by your Holy Spirit. (Three limes)

All: Amen (After each proclamation)

The priest continues the prayer to its conclusion with the following Ekphonesis.

That your all-holy name be glorified by the elements, by the angels, by men, by visible and invisible creatures; together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen

PRAYER AT THE BOWING OF THE HEADS OVER THE WATER

Priest: Peace be to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Bow you heads to the Lord.

All: To you, O Lord.

The priest offers the prayer at the bowing of the heads over the waters, concluding thus:

For You are our sanctification and we give glory to You, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

TROPARION IN TONE ONE

At your Baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed: For the Father's voice bore witness to You by calling You His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words. O Christ God, who have appeared to us, and enlightened the world, glory to You.

The Troparion is sung three times while the priest submerges the cross and raises it each time. The priest, then, sprinkles the sanctuary, Iconostasis, the Church and the people with the sanctified water, while the Choir chants following Idiomelon.

IDIOMELON IN TONE SIX

Believers, let us praise the great plans of God who works for us: for the only pure and spotless One, being incarnate on account of our fall, purifies us in the Jordan River, sanctifies us together with the waters, and crushes the heads of the dragons in the waters. O brethren, let us therefore draw water with joy, for those who draw it in faith shall be invisibly endowed with the grace of the Spirit, through the presence of Christ God, the Savior of our souls.

Choir: Blessed be the Name of the Lord, now and forever. (Three times)

The people approach to drink from the Holy Water, while Psalm 33 is read.

PSALM 33

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.

Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.

Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped, around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him.
Strong lions suffer want and go hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

Come, children, and hear me that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is he who longs for life and many days, to enjoy his prosperity?

Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn aside from evil and do good; seek and strive after peace.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth.
The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal.

They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
He will keep guard over all his bones, not one of his bones shall be broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked; those who hate the good are doomed.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.

The Liturgy concludes with the dismissal as usual.

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

30 December 2007
Sunday after the Nativity of our Lord

Tone Six - Eothinon Nine

Commemorating the Sts Joseph the Betrothed,
James the Brother of the Lord,
and David the King and Prophet;
the Holy Martyr Anysia;
and Holy Zoticos, Feeder of Oprhans.

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(THEME HYMNS OF THE DAY AND CONCLUDING SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE SIX

The angelic powers were around Your tomb, and the guards became as dead, and Mary stood at the tomb seeking Your spotless body; then You despoiled Hades without being tried by it, and You met the Virgin O Bestower of life. O Lord who rose from the dead, glory to You.

TROPARION OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD IN TONE FOUR

You Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers, learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!

TROPARION OF ST JOSEPH THE BETROTHED IN TONE TWO

O Joseph, proclaim to David, the ancestor of Christ our God, the great miracles you have witnessed. You have seen the Virgin with Child, given praise with the shepherds, adored with the wise men, and an angel of the Lord has appeared to you. Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls.

KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE THREE

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent Essence, and the earth presents a cave to the Inaccessible One. The Angels with the shepherds sing His glory, and the Wise men with the Star travel on their way, for to us a New Child is born, who is God from all eternity.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

O save thy people, and bless thy heritage;
be thou their shepherd, and carry them for ever.

To thee, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if thou be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.

THE READING FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE ST PAUL TO TIMOTHY

TIMOTHY, MY SON: Always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

ALLELUIA

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us!

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MARK

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight -- " John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

HIRMOS IN TONE FIVE
(A “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin — sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise him in the heights!

Hymns and Readings for the Nativity of Christ

25 December

Commemoration of Sts Adam and Eve

Festal Tone - Festal Eothinon

FIRST ANTIPHON

I will confess You with all my heart, O Lord; I will tell all your marvels.

Through the prayers…(after each verse and the Glory…Now and always…)

In the counsels of righteous men and in the assemblies, great are the works of the Lord.

They are sought in order to accomplish His will.


SECOND ANTIPHON

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will establish himself firmly within His commandments

O Son of God, who was born of the Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia! (After each verse)

Powerful on earth shall be his race; the descendants of the righteous ones shall be blessed.

Glory and wealth shall abide in his house, and his justice shall stand from age to age.

Glory… Now and always…

O Only Begotten Son and Word of God


THIRD ANTIPHON

The Lord has said to my Lord: Sit at my right until I make your enemies as footstool.

(THE TROPARION OF THE NATIVITY IS CHANTED AFTER EACH VERSE AND THE Glory... Now and always... )

The Lord shall send you from Zion a scepter of power, rule in the midst of your enemies.

With You was the beginning, on the day of your might in the splendor of the holy ones.

Glory…Now and always…


ENTRANCE HYMN

From the womb before the morning star I begot you.
The Lord has sworn and He will not repent:
You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchisadek.

Come let us worship…
O Son of God, who was born of the Virgin, save us who sing to You: Alleluia


TROPARIA AND KONTAKION

TROPARION OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD IN TONE FOUR

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers, learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!

HYPACOE OF THE NATIVITY IN TONE EIGHT

O Little Child lying in a manger, by means of a star, Heaven has called and led to You Magi, the first-fruits of the Gentiles, astounded to behold, not scepters and thrones, but extreme poverty. What, indeed, is lower than a cave? What is humbler than swaddling clothes — and yet the splendor of your divinity shone forth in them resplendently. O Lord, glory to You!

KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY IN TONE THREE

Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent Essence, and the earth presents a cave to the Inaccessible One. The Angels with the shepherds sing His glory, and the Wise men with the Star travel on their way, for to us a New Child is born, who is God from all eternity.

REPLACING THE TRICE-HOLY HYMN
(“Holy God…”)

As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia


PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

All those on earth worship You and sing to You.

Sing Alleluia to God, O all the earth.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

Brethren: When the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.

ALLELUIA

I will tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, "You are my Son, today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage,
and the ends of the earth Your possession.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.”’ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.’ When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

MEGALYNARION OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
HEIRMOS IN TONE ONE

O my soul, magnify the One who is more honorable and glorious than the heavenly powers! Behold a mystery, a strange and wonderful mystery: the cave has become heaven, the Virgin a throne of the Cherubim, and the manger a noble place where Christ our God reposes. Wherefore, let us praise and exalt Him!

COMMUNION HYMN

The Lord has sent redemption to His people:
He has established His covenant forever. Alleluia.

INSTEAD OF “We have seen the True Light”

THE TROPARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE FOUR

Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Through it, those who had been star-worshipers, learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and to recognize in You the One who rises and who comes from on high. O Lord, glory to You!

From the Paramony and Great Vespers for the Nativity of our Lord

Readings for the Paramony (Vigil) of the Nativity of our Lord

Troparion of the Paramony in Tone Four

At that time, since Mary was of the house of David, she registered with the venerable Joseph in Bethlehem. She was with child, having conceived virginally. Her time was come and they could find no room in the inn, but the cave seemed a joyful palace for the Queen. Christ is born to renew the likeness that had been lost of old.

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

I will tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. For to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? And again, when he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." But of the Son he says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy comrades." And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end."

ALLELUIA

The LORD says to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool."

The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your foes!

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

23 DECEMBER 2007

SUNDAY OF THE GENEALOGY
(SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD)
Commemorating the Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete

Tone Five — Eothinon Eight

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(THEME HYMNS OF THE DAY AND CONCLUDING SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE FIVE

Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, for He was pleased to be lifted in the flesh upon the cross, and to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

TROPARION OF THE FOREFATHERS IN TONE TWO

Faith can accomplish great things. Through it, the Three Holy Children rejoice in the flames as if they had been in refreshing water, and Daniel, in the midst of lions is like a shepherd among his sheep. Through their intercession, O Christ God, save our souls.

KONTAKION OF PREPARATION FOR THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE THREE

Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice therefore, O Universe, when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds Him who shall appear as new Child being God from all eternity.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers, and worthy of praise;
and thy Name is glorified forever.

For Thou art just in all that Thou has done to us,
and all Thy works are true and Thy ways right,and all Thy judgments are truth.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

BRETHREN: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

ALLELUIA

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us,
what deeds thou didst perform in their days, in the days of old

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST MATTHEW

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Bo'az by Rahab, and Bo'az the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abidjan the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzzi'ah, and Uzzi'ah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of She-al'ti-el, and She-al'ti-el the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eli'ud, and Eli'ud the father of Elea'zar, and Elea'zar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

HIRMOS IN TONE FIVE
(Or “Megalynarion” — Hymn to the Virgin sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: You who without stain did bear God the Word and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise him in the heights!

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

16 DECEMBER 2007

SUNDAY OF THE FOREFATHERS OF CHRIST
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST)
Commemorating the holy Prophet Haggai

Tone Four — Eothinon Seven

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE FOUR

The women disciples of the Lord having heard from the angel the joyful announcement of the Resurrection, and having rejected the ancestral sentence, proudly told the Apostles: Death is despoiled, Christ God is risen, bestowing to the world great mercy.

TROPARION OF THE FOREFATHERS IN TONE TWO

Through faith, You have justified your ancestors, O Christ our God, and through them You have espoused in advance the Church set apart from the gentiles. The saints rejoice in glory because from the seed of these ancestors has come forth the glorious fruit who gave You birth without seed. Through their intercession, O Christ God, save our souls!

KONTAKION OF PREPARATION FOR THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE THREE

Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice therefore, O Universe, when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds Him who shall appear as new Child being God from all eternity.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

Blessed art thou, O Lord, God of our fathers, and worthy of praise;
and thy name is glorified for ever.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE COLOSIANS

BRETHREN: When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the New Nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the Image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

ALLELUIA

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE

THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’

HIRMOS IN TONE SIX
(a “Megalynarion” [Hymn to the Virgin] sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: you who without stain did bear God the Word, you are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise Him in the heights! Alleluia.

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

MATERNITY OF ST ANNA
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
9 December 2007

Tone Three - Eothinon Six

Troparia and Kontakion
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE THREE

Let all in Heaven rejoice and all on earth be glad. For the Lord has exerted power with His arm: By death He has trampled upon death and has become the first-born from the dead. He has delivered us from the bosom of Hades and has granted to the world great mercy.

TROPARION OF THE MATERNITY OF ST ANNA IN TONE FOUR

Today the bonds of barrenness are loosed: God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. He has promised against all hope the birth of the Maiden of God from whom the Infinite Himself is to be born as a man, He who had orders an Angel to cry out to her: “Hail, O Full of Grace! The Lord is with you!”

KONTAKION OF THE MATERNITY OF ST ANNA IN TONE FOUR

The mystery which was hidden from eternity and unknown to the angels has been revealed through you, O Theotokos, to those on earth; for God took flesh in a union without commixture, and willingly took up the Cross by which He elevated the first man and saved our souls from death.

PROKIMENON
(Responsory from the Psalter)

Terrible is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel,
He gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD,
O you who are of Israel's fountain!

THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

BRETHREN: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

ALLELUIA

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE

AT THAT TIME: He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

HIRMOS (MEGALYNARION AFTER THE CONSECRATION)
INSTEAD OF “IT IS TRULY FITTING…”
ODE NINE OF THE SECOND CANON OF THE FEAST IN TONE TWO

The Son of the Eternal Father, our Lord and our God, took flesh from the Virgin and appeared to us to bring light to those in darkness and to gather together those who were scattered. O Theotokos, worthy of all praise, we magnify you!

Today let the prophets, the chosen ones, rejoice, for their prophecies announcing the grace of God, have begun to be fulfilled in the venerable conception of the pure Mother of God who will bring forth the joy of the world.

The throne of glory has been prepared for the Lord; the gate of salvation has now been announced, the passage reserved for the Master and Creator alone. Through her, we shall attain eternal life.

With Anna, Joachim cries out: You alone have heard our voice in supplication, O Lord and Creator; in granting an end to our sterility You have given us the Root of immortality. We glorify you!

The ladder is now prepared: by it, the Lord and Creator will come down to lift up the human race. Heaven rejoices with the angels! The human race exults with all creation because of the grace of deification.

I sing of your unequaled good will, O Lady: you are my illumination, my glory and my pride, my source of wisdom, the cause of my joy, my expectation and my hope, my fortress, my rampart and my defense.

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

Fourteenth Sunday of the Season of the Holy Cross
(Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Pentecost)
Commemorating the holy Prophet Habakkuk

Tone Two — Eothinon Five

Troparia and Kontakion
(Theme hymns of the day and concluding seasonal hymn)

Troparion of the Resurrection in Tone One
When You descended to death, O immortal Life, You destroyed Hades by the splendor of Your divinity, and when You raised the dead from below the earth, all the heavenly powers cried out to You: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You.

Kontakion of Preparation for the Nativity of Christ in Tone Three
Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice therefore, O Universe, when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds Him who shall appear as new Child being God from all eternity.

Liturgy of the Word

Prokimenon
(Responsory from the Psalter)
The LORD is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation.

The LORD has chastened me sorely,
but He has not given me over to death.

The reading from the Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians
Brethren: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Alleluia
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Give victory to the king, O LORD; answer us when we call.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke
At that time: As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to Him; and when he came near, He asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Hirmos in Tone Six
(a “Megalynarion” [Hymn to the Virgin] sung after the Consecration)
It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: you who without stain did bear God the Word, you are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

Communion Hymn
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise Him in the heights! Alleluia.

Hymns and Readings for Sunday

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE SEASON OF THE HOLY CROSS
(TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST)
Commemorating the holy Great-Martyr Katherine of Alexandria
and the holy Great-Martyr Mercurios

Tone One — Eothinon Four

TROPARIA AND KONTAKION
(THEME HYMNS OF THE DAY AND CONCLUDING SEASONAL HYMN)

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE ONE

After the stone was sealed by the Jews, and while the soldier were watching your spotless Body, You rose, O Savior on the third day, bestowing life on the world. Therefore the heavenly powers cried out to You, O Giver of Life: Glory to your Resurrection, O Christ; glory to your Kingdom; glory to your Economy, O you who alone are the Lover of mankind.

KONTAKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LADY IN TONE FOUR

The most pure Temple of our Holy Savior, the most precious and bright Bridal Chamber, the Virgin sacred treasury of the glory of God openly appears today in the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace of the Most Holy Spirit. Wherefore, the angels of God are singing: This is the heavenly Tabernacle.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PROKIMENON
(RESPONSORY FROM THE PSALTER)

Terrible is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel,
he gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

Bless God in the great congregation,
The LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"


THE READING FROM THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

BRETHREN: Before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

ALLELUIA

Blessed is he who considers the poor!
The LORD delivers him in the day of trouble.

The LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land;
thou dost not give him up to the will of his enemies.

THE READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE

AT THAT TIME: A ruler asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: `Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

HIRMOS IN TONE SIX
(a “Megalynarion” [Hymn to the Virgin] sung after the Consecration)

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God; more honored than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: you who without stain did bear God the Word, you are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.

COMMUNION HYMN

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
Praise Him in the heights! Alleluia.