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Menaion - August 5
The Forefeast of the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ; and Memory of the Holy Martyr Eusignius.
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MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 4.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
O Faithful, prepare for the Transfiguration of Christ, * and joyously celebrate as we observe on this day * the Forefeast, and cry aloud: * Coming is the day of the divine exultation. * The Master is ascending the holy mountain of Tabor, * in order to shine with the beauty of His divinity. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
The happy day of Christ our God’s most glorious * divine transfiguration has now arrived for believers all. * Let us with joy observe it * and with songs God-inspired * glorify as is worthy all the great things He accomplished. * For He, as God, has shone forth and illumined the universe. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
The happy day of Christ our God’s most glorious * divine transfiguration has now arrived for believers all. * Let us with joy observe it * and with songs God-inspired * glorify as is worthy all the great things He accomplished. * For He, as God, has shone forth and illumined the universe. [SD]
Kathisma II.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Together with the three select disciples of Christ God, * all we the faithful, come let us go up to Mount Tabor * noetically to see His divine Transfiguration. * Let us glorify the extreme condescension * that He showed for us, by which He grants to the world * the gift of eternal life. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
Together with the three select disciples of Christ God, * all we the faithful, come let us go up to Mount Tabor * noetically to see His divine Transfiguration. * Let us glorify the extreme condescension * that He showed for us, by which He grants to the world * the gift of eternal life. [SD]
READER
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]
Kontakion. For the Forefeast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.
Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.
On this day of Christ’s divine Transfiguration * human nature in advance splendidly shines with light divine, * and with great joy we all cry aloud, “Christ is transfigured in glory and saves us all.” [SD]
Kontakion. For the Saint.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Planter.)
The Church honors wise Eusignius, as a Martyr of the true Faith and a genuinely godly-minded Saint, and she glorifies his divine contests today, singing: “Most merciful One, guard Your servants through his intercessions!” [SD]
Oikos.
The host of believers rejoices together, as they honor the memory of Eusignius. Royals, Patriarchs, and those in government, foreigners, servants, the poor, and locals, everyone, run to celebrate the miracles of the Martyr. His tomb pours out the grace of miracles, and people with faith receive the benefits, and they publicly praise God, singing: “Most merciful One, guard Your servants through his intercessions!” [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On August 5 is the Forefeast of the holy Transfiguration of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We also commemorate the holy Martyr Eusignius.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.
Τὸν βασιλέα Χριστόν.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
To Christ the King let us sing, * as the Servants in captivity who confessed Him * inside the furnace, crying out with voices loud and clear, * “O all you works, to the Lord sing a hymn of praise!” [SD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 4.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Heirmos. Mode 4.
Σὲ τὴν ἀπειρόγαμον.
Singing hymns, we magnify you, Theotokos. * O Virgin, pure and unwedded, * You are the heavenly bridal chamber; you gave birth to Christ, * the author of our salvation. [SD]
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Exaposteilarion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Eusignius, when you put on * the breastplate and full armor * of Christ, you put to flight the hosts * of the ungodly tyrants; * and when you battled them bravely, * you raised triumphal trophies, * great and most wise and glorious * Martyr. Now you with Angles together stand * near the Holy Trinity. We entreat you, * O Saint, cease not to pray for us * who with love sing your praises. [SD]
For the Forefeast.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
We who desire wholeheartedly * glory divine and holy, * let us cut through the heavy cloud * of this our earthen body, * having ascended the heights of * Tabor the holy mountain; * and let us hasten to partake, * with Moses and Elias and with the chief * of Disciples, of the illumination * divine and unapproachable, * as we in light receive light. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 1.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Hide Stichologia
Stichera. For the Forefeast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
We are observing the Forefeast of the all-glorious * holy Transfiguration * on this day, and we therefore * are glorifying Christ God, for with the fire * of divinity He restored * our fallen nature and shone brightly as before * in His incorruptibility. [SD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
We are observing the Forefeast of the all-glorious * holy Transfiguration * on this day, and we therefore * are glorifying Christ God, for with the fire * of divinity He restored * our fallen nature and shone brightly as before * in His incorruptibility. [SD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
Let us ascend in the spirit the holy mountain today * and view by faith the splendid * holy Transfiguration * of Christ our Lord and Savior, whom we adore; * let us faithfully say to Him, * “You who have taken on flesh and have deified * human nature are the only God.” [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
This is the eve and the Forefeast * of the august day on which * the Lord will be transfigured, * as it says, on Mount Tabor. * Moses and Elias as well as Christ’s * three Disciples will be there too; * and from the cloud will the voice of the Father say, * “This one truly is my chosen Son.” [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 1.
Moses, the seer of God, and Elias, the fiery charioteer who races unburnt across the heavens, saw You in the cloud at Your Transfiguration, O Christ; and they bore witness that You are the Author and Fulfiller of the Law and the Prophets. We pray You, O Master, count us worthy, like them, to receive Your illumination, and to sing Your praises to the ages. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Doxology.
Doxology (read)
HIERARCH or READER
To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.
PRIEST (aloud)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Aposticha of the Forefeast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.
Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.
Shining now with the bright * resplendence of the virtues, * let’s climb that holy mountain, * and we shall see the godly Transfiguration of the Lord. [SD]
Verse: Mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other. [SAAS]
Christ shines forth like the sun * today upon the mountain, * in view of His disciples, * before His crucifixion, and shows that He is truly God. [SD]
Verse: We shall walk in the light of the glory of Your face, O Lord, forever. [SAAS]
Christ, wishing to transform * the nature come from Adam, * goes up onto Mount Tabor, * and there for His disciples discloses His Divinity. [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
On Mount Tabor, You were transfigured in glory, O Christ our God, and to Your Apostles You revealed the glory of Your divinity. We pray You, shine on us also, with the light of true knowledge of You, and guide us on the path of Your commandments, for only You are good and love humanity. [SD]
PRIEST
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]
READER
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CHOIR
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
O Faithful, prepare for the Transfiguration of Christ, * and joyously celebrate as we observe on this day * the Forefeast, and cry aloud: * Coming is the day of the divine exultation. * The Master is ascending the holy mountain of Tabor, * in order to shine with the beauty of His divinity. [SD]
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
PRIEST: Wisdom.
READER: Father, bless!
PRIEST
Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
HIERARCH or READER
The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”
or:
Dismissal
PRIEST
Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.
May Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Amen.