ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
At, Lord, I have cried, Prosomia.
Stichera for the Apostles.
Mode 2. Joseph took You down.
O divine Apostles, you were seen * as the trumpets of the divine Word Who had appeared on earth. * You declared His saving dispensation unto all. * By your preaching did you destroy * the bastions of error, * congregating peoples unto pious faith in God. * Therefore, you the blessed Disciples * worthily were given the honors * and received the laurel crowns triumphantly. [SD]
Legions of the Angels in the heights * applauded the holy Disciples, and truly they rejoiced * seeing them proclaim the incarnation of the Lord * with great freedom and confidence, * declaring to all men: * This is our God, the One who is before all time, * who assumed our flesh of His own will, * and who shares the throne with the Father, * being with the Spirit honored equally. [SD]
Additional Stichera. For St. Nicholas. Same Melody.
Many are the trials circling me. * I have been completely surrounded by storms of daily life. * I am drowning in the waves of tribulations and woes. * And while sorrow depresses me, O all-holy Father, * I have put my hope in you, O great St. Nicholas. * Grant to me relief from my troubles, * by your very strong intercessions * and your supplications to the Lord for me. [GOASD]
Since you have been granted grace from God, * freely you dispense cures and healing to all who place themselves * under your protection, O divine St. Nicholas. * You drive out diabolical inveterate passions, * curing all whom you receive into your custody. * Therefore we now also implore you: * Pray the Lord that all who extol you * ever be delivered from impending harm. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 1.
Save me, O God, in Your name, and judge me in Your power.
Verse: O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. [SAAS]
At the Aposticha.
Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Apostles.
You have magnified the names of the chief Apostles, O Savior, throughout the world. They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven; they granted healings to those on earth, and their shadows alone cured the illnesses. He who was a fisherman did miracles, and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace. Through them, grant Your great mercy unto us, O compassionate Lord. [SD]
Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]
Pressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds, we flee for refuge unto You who indeed are God. Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say: Save us, O Master, we are perishing. We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils, by the intercessions of the Apostles, overlooking sins with great benevolence. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
Great is the glory that you, O Saints, obtained through faith. For not only in your suffering did you defeat the foe, but you expel evil spirits even after death. As physicians of souls and bodies you grant healings to the sick. Intercede with the Lord, to have mercy on our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Same Melody.
All those who for refuge flee with faith * unto you, O good one, you shelter beneath your mighty hand. * We your servants have no other intercessor like you * always praying to God for us * in dangers and sorrows, * sinners that we are, bent down because of many misdeeds. * Therefore, we fall prostrate before you. * Rescue us from every affliction, * since you are the Mother of the Most High God. [SD]
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ON THURSDAY MORNING
MATINS
After the first Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Apostles.
Mode 2.
You made the Fishermen wiser than orators, and sent them as preachers over all the earth, in Your ineffable benevolence, O Christ our God. Confirm Your Church through them, and send down Your blessing on the faithful, O only merciful benevolent Lord. [SD]
The Fishermen caught the nations in their nets, and they instructed the ends of the earth to worship You with the Father and the Spirit, O Christ our God. Through them establish the divine Faith, and send down Your mercies upon the peoples, O only Lord who repose in the holy. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
We have become partakers of divine nature through you, O ever-virgin Maid, since for us you gave birth unto God become incarnate. Therefore we all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]
After the second Psalter reading, Kathismata. For the Apostles. As the Mother of God.
When for mercy’s sake God made himself poor, * the Savior sent you out into the world to enrich it. * Preaching in your poverty, you showed to all * that heavenly riches are available. * Through you, O Apostles, we became rich in godly faith; * and with joy we sing your praise * and solemnly keep your sacred memory. [GOASD]
Same Melody.
The inspired Apostles of the Lord, * as Disciple and the eyewitnesses of God’s Wisdom, * by the simplicity of their preaching style * disparaged the fallacious philosophies * of sages and orators, while wisely enlightening * all the nations to extol * the Creator and only Master of all. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Mother of God, you are the helper of those in trouble, the defender of the oppressed. You give hope to those in despair, and you cure incurable diseases, O all-lauded Theotokos. We pray you implore the Lord on our behalf. [GOASD]
After the third Psalter reading, Kathismata.
For St. Nicholas. In the pools of your blood.
You, O Saint Nicholas, fully illuminate * all of the earth with the rays of your miracles. * The gloom of afflictions you terminate, * driving away the attacks that endanger us. * For you are a most ardent guardian. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
O Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Hierarchs, Monastics and the Righteous, you finished the race and kept the faith. You speak freely to the Savior. We pray you entreat Him on our behalf, to save our souls, since He is good. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
O Immaculate, you alone bore God without seed, and after the amazing childbirth you continued in chastity. I fall down before you and cry out with fear and faith: Save me from passions and grievous illnesses and from all necessity. [SD]
Canon for the Holy Apostles.
Mode 2. Ode i. Heirmos.
Long ago the overwhelming Force * utterly destroyed the chariots and army of Pharaoh within the Sea. * Now the Logos put on flesh * and He wiped out malignant sin and its burdens all. * He is Lord, forever glorious, and He is greatly glorified. [SD]
Troparia.
Since you have been reckoned for your faith * lightening bolts of light divine, * O resplendent Apostles of the Savior Christ, * completely illumine me * who am darkened by the sinful pleasures’ murkiness * and who live out my entire life * with carelessness and negligence. [SD]
O Disciples and the friends of Christ, * from the hostile enemy * I pray deliver me who have befriended him * through familiarity * with his wickedness; * and arouse my own soul to love * Him who in His goodness * came and offered friendship to the human race. [SD]
O you humble soul of mine, make haste * and before your end repent, * and also grieve for yourself as for one who died, * that the tender-loving Lord * who raised Lazarus * four days after his burial * resurrect you also, * by the strong appeals of the Apostles all. [SD]
Theotokion.
Lady, you have given birth to God * who is good and who does good * to all held fast by corruption, All-blameless one. *Pray to Him most fervently, * O Immaculate, * with the Prophets and martyr Saints * and divine Apostles, * so that from transgression all might be redeemed. [SD]
Canon for St. Nicholas.
Same Heirmos.
Standing near the judgment seat of Christ * with a crown upon your head * along with armies of Angels, Saint Nicholas, * O most wise one, grant to me * illumination, * shining light on my darkened soul, * so that I might praise you * joyously extolling your memorial. [SD]
Unto us believers has the Lord * given you, all-lauded one* to be a haven that saves us from trials all * who for refuge run to you * and with faith and love * call upon you, Saint Nicholas. * For all those who glorify the Lord * like you, He also glorifies. [SD]
Theotokion.
The conniving serpent sowed in me * the longing for equality * with my Maker and thus took me prisoner. * Now having been deified * most authentically, * I am called back through you, all-pure * Lady Theotokos. * For to Him who deified me you gave birth. [SD]
Ode iii. Heirmos.
The gentile church was formerly like the barren wilderness; * and then it blossomed as the rose * and the lily, when You appeared on earth. * My heart is established in Your Advent, O Lord. [SD]
Troparia.
O marvelous seers of God, * you exposed as foolishness * the wisdom of the pagan Greeks, * since, O glorious ones, your teacher was * the Father’s wisdom in the Spirit, Christ our God. [SD]
All-laudable eyewitnesses * of the Logos, all-revered * Apostles, bring the barrenness * of my soul to an end, and make it bear * many offspring of virtuous activity. [SD]
O Benefactor of the world, * rich in mercy as You are, * the hostile foe has bitten me; * I am poisoned with venom grievously. * Heal me through Your Apostles’ fervent prayers for me. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Pure one, importune your Son, * Christ the most benevolent, * together with Apostles all, * that He rescue from every injury * and from crises and dangers all who sing your praise. [SD]
Canon for St. Nicholas. Same Heirmos.
O blessed father Nicholas, * as you are a genuine * disciple of the Master Christ, * you deliver all those who turn to you * out of serious dangers and from bitter death. [SD]
Be gracious to Your slaves, O Lord, * in Your goodness granting them * forgiveness of their trespasses, * through the prayers of Your servant Nicholas * interceding with You who are most merciful. [SD]
Theotokion.
O Lady, calm the turbulence * of my passions, I entreat, * and be the pilot of my life, * O all-holy one who gave birth to God; * for my heart has been firmly established in Him. [SD]
Ode iv. Heirmos.
You came, O Lord, * not an elder nor angel, but You yourself, * God incarnate, being born of a pure Virgin, thus saving me * and all of humanity. * Therefore I sing to You: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord! [SD]
Troparia.
Theotokion.
Canon for St. Nicholas. Same Heirmos.
Theotokion.
Ode v. Heirmos.
O Christ our God, * You are the mediator between God and men. * For through You, O Lord, we have access to Your Father, the Author of Light, * in the Spirit, as Paul said, out of the night of ignorance. [SD]
Troparia.
Theotokion.
Canon for St. Nicholas. You are the light.
Theotokion.
Ode vi. Heirmos.
Like a deep sea, my sins have encircled me. * I invoke the deep sea of Your ineffable * and unfathomable tender love. * Raise me up from corruption, O Lord my God. [SD]
Troparia.
Theotokion.
Canon for St. Nicholas. Same Heirmos.
Theotokion.
Ode vii. Heirmos.
The godless decree of the unlawful tyrant * commanded the stoking of the furnace’s fiery flame. * But Christ joined His pious Servants, and He covered them * with the Spirit’s dewy breeze. * He is praised and blessed and exceedingly glorious. [SD]
Troparia.
Theotokion.
Canon for St. Nicholas. The image of gold.
Theotokion.
Ode viii. Heirmos.
Heeding the divine decree, the fiery furnace * of old in Babylon distributed its actions and energy; * for it burned up the Chaldean men, * but it refreshed the faithful young men who sang, * saying, “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Sing a hymn to Him.” [SD]
Troparia.
Theotokion.
Canon for St. Nicholas. When God went down.
Theotokion.
Ode ix. Heirmos.
To us was revealed the unoriginate Begetter’s Son, * from a Virgin incarnated. He is God and Lord, * coming to those sitting in darkness to give them light, * to gather the scattered. * And therefore the all-extolled Theotokos should be magnified. [SD]
Troparia.
Convert me the self-condemned, incorrigible that I am. * I have spurned Your commandments, O Lord, disdainfully; * and as one demented, insanely * I still obey the demons’ deceptions. * Through the supplications of * Your Apostles, turn me back, I pray. [SD]
Apostles, you glorious Apostles, O you blessed men, * you the Savior’s Disciples, O Preachers wholly wise, * save me from all injury, save me * from every wrath, from every transgression, * from every predicament * and all forms of disobedience. [SD]
I bring You, O Master, this incorrigible soul of mine, * and a conscience confused with the matter whence are falls, * and a heart that has been polluted, * and a defiled attitude. I cry out: * Benevolent Lord, I pray, * please be merciful and pity me. [SD]
Theotokion.
The holy Apostles did proclaim to the entire world, * all-pure Lady, that truly your Son is God and Man. * Therefore importune Him together * with them, that on the dread day of judgement, * released from perdition be * they who magnify you faithfully. [SD]
Canon for St. Nicholas. Same Heirmos.
Illumined by lights of grace are you, God-bearing hierarch, * and a wise luminary are you of true belief. * You deliver those who are tempted. * You rescue those sailing on the high seas. * Miraculously you feed * starving people, O all-blessed one. [SD]
Now living as though within the Garden of divine delight, * you behold the ineffable glory vividly, * and from the celestial apses * you oversee those who sing your praises, * all reverend God-bearing Saint, * and you free them from the passions all. [SD]
Theotokion.
With your own unsullied blood, O Theotokos, you conceived * the hypostasized Word of the Father and His might * and His inconceivable wisdom, * which had assumed its temple, uniting * unto it, O Maiden pure, * in a union indissoluble. [SD]
At the Aposticha of Lauds.
Aposticha. Mode 2. For the Apostles.
You have magnified the names of the chief Apostles, O Savior, throughout the world. They learned the sacred mysteries of heaven; they granted healings to those on earth, and their shadows alone cured the illnesses. He who was a fisherman did miracles, and the son of the Jews theologized on the dogmas of grace. Through them, grant Your great mercy unto us, O compassionate Lord. [SD]
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]
Pressed by war on every side because of unrighteous deeds, we flee for refuge unto You who indeed are God. Hence we present to You the words of Your Disciples and say: Save us, O Master, we are perishing. We pray You once again to show our enemies that You guard Your people and You save them from perils, by the intercessions of the Apostles, overlooking sins with great benevolence. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
Every city and land venerates your relics, O victorious Martyrs. For having lawfully contested, you received a heavenly crown. And therefore you are the pride of priests, the victory of rulers, and the Church’s grand dignity. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion. Joseph took You down.
For all who are troubled you are joy, * and of the abused a protectress, the paupers’ nourishment, * strangers’ consolation and a walking staff of the blind, * visitation of the infirm, * assistance and shelter * for the weary and oppressed, help of the orphans as well. * Hasten to deliver your servants, * fervently we beg you, O pure one, * since you are the Mother of the Most High God. [SD]
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LITURGY
The Beatitudes. Mode 2.
We present You the robber’s words and we prayerfully echo them; and like him we cry out, O Savior: In Your kingdom remember us. [SD]
O Apostles, by traveling to the far reaches of the world, * you, all-wise ones, rescued from the darkness of error all humanity. [SD]
O most wise mystics of the Lord, with the dragnet of grace divine * clearly you pulled up many people from the sea of futility. [SD]
For the Martyrs.
Now with one voice let us extol those who finished the race, like Paul, * and who kept the faith, namely Christ’s victorious martyr saints. [SD]
Glory.
Equipotent with the Begetter is the Son, whom we glorify * with the Spirit. Thus with fear and faith, we worship the Trinity. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
O pure Virgin, you are the boast of the Apostles, the ornament * of the medal-winning martyr saints, and deliverance of the world. [SD]