Books - Sources
Menaion - August 6
Commemoration of the Transfiguration of our Savior
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MATINS
CHOIR
Grave Mode.
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 of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Grave Mode.
You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we may be, shine Your everlasting light, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You. [SD] (3)
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
On Mt. Tabor, You, O Christ, were transfigured, and You showed * the transformation humankind will undergo when glorified * by You, O Savior, at Your awesome Second Coming. * Moses and Elias were conversing with You. * Those three foremost Disciples that You brought with You * beheld the glory of You their Master * and were amazed by the brilliant light. * O Lord, who shined then Your light upon them, we pray You also illumine our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
On Mt. Tabor, You, O Christ, were transfigured, and You showed * the transformation humankind will undergo when glorified * by You, O Savior, at Your awesome Second Coming. * Moses and Elias were conversing with You. * Those three foremost Disciples that You brought with You * beheld the glory of You their Master * and were amazed by the brilliant light. * O Lord, who shined then Your light upon them, we pray You also illumine our souls. [SD]
Kathisma II.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Joseph marveled.
Κατεπλάγη Ἰωσήφ.
On Mt. Tabor, Jesus Christ, You were transfigured today; * and a shining cloud spread out like a tabernacle, * and it surrounded the Apostles with Your glory. * And they, in their amazement, turned their gaze to the earth, * for they could not endure to see the brilliant light * of Your face’s unapproachable glory, * O unoriginate Savior and God. * O Lord, who shined then Your light upon them, we pray You also illumine our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
On Mt. Tabor, Jesus Christ, You were transfigured today; * and a shining cloud spread out like a tabernacle, * and it surrounded the Apostles with Your glory. * And they, in their amazement, turned their gaze to the earth, * for they could not endure to see the brilliant light * of Your face’s unapproachable glory, * O unoriginate Savior and God. * O Lord, who shined then Your light upon them, we pray You also illumine our souls. [SD]
Kathisma III.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.
With Your Disciples You ascended the mountain; * and as You shone forth in the glory of the Father, * Moses and Elias were in attendance, O Lord. * For the Law and Prophets serve You as God and Creator. * The Father, acknowledging Your natural sonship, * audibly called You His beloved Son. * We glorify Him * and You and the Holy Spirit. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
With Your Disciples You ascended the mountain; * and as You shone forth in the glory of the Father, * Moses and Elias were in attendance, O Lord. * For the Law and Prophets serve You as God and Creator. * The Father, acknowledging Your natural sonship, * audibly called You His beloved Son. * We glorify Him * and You and the Holy Spirit. [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Antiphon 1.
Mode 4.
From my youth, many passions war against me. O my Savior, I implore You, uphold me and save me. [GOASD] (2)
You who hate Zion, be shamed by the Lord; for you will be withered like grass in the fire. [GOASD] (2)
Glory.
By the Holy Spirit every soul is animated, and when purified, it is mystically uplifted and brightened by the triune Godhead. [GOASD]
Both now.
From the Holy Spirit the streams of grace well forth; they water all creation, so that life be engendered. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon. Psalm 88.
Tabor and Hermon shall greatly rejoice in Your name. (2)
Verse: The heavens belong to You, and the earth is Yours; You founded the world and all its fullness.
Tabor and Hermon shall greatly rejoice in Your name. [SAAS]
Stand for the Gospel reading.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (from the gate)
Lk. 9:28 – 36
At that time, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. [RSV]
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
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]
From Menaion - - -
CHOIR
Glory. Mode 2.
At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Both now.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Idiomelon. Mode 2.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. [SAAS]
O Good One who sanctified the entire world with Your light, You were transfigured on a high mountain; and to Your Disciples You showed Your power, that You deliver the world from transgression. Therefore we cry out to You: O compassionate Lord, save our souls! [SD]
PRIEST
O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; and all Your saints:
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
From Menaion - - -
READER
Kontakion.
Grave Mode.
Upon the mountain were You transfigured, and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they were able, O Christ our God; so that when they would see You crucified they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate, and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father’s radiance. [SD]
Oikos.
Awake you dull thoughts, be not always groveling and bending my soul towards the earth; arise and go up to the height of divine ascent. Let us run to join Peter and Zebedee’s sons, and with them go directly to Mount Tabor; that with them we may see the glory of our God, and may also hear the voice that they heard from heaven; and they proclaimed the Father’s radiance. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On August 6 is the commemoration of the divine Transfiguration of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory and dominion forever. Amen.
Katavasias Odes 1-8
CHOIR
Katavasias of the Cross
Ode i. Mode pl. 4.
Moses prefigured the Cross. * Lifting up the rod, he stretched out his hand and split the Sea for Israel to cross on land. * Then he stretched it out again, * and the sea returned and covered Pharaoh’s chariots. * The Cross was thus portrayed as our invincible armor. * So let us sing to the Lord, * Christ our God, for He is greatly glorified. [GOASD]
Ode iii.
The rod of Aaron is seen as typifying the mystery; * for it budded, and thus was the priest selected. * Now in the Church, that was barren once, the Cross of Christ, like a tree, * has blossomed forth, * as power and a firm support. [GOASD]
Ode iv.
I have heard the report, O Lord, * of Your incarnation, which is a mystery. * I considered Your astounding works, * and I glorified Your divinity. [GOASD]
Ode v.
Tree of the Cross, you are thrice-blessed, * for Jesus Christ, who is King and Lord, was crucified on you. * Through you fallen is the one who by a tree deceived us, * for he was lured by God who in the flesh indeed * was hung and nailed to you, * and who grants to our souls His peace. [GOASD]
Ode vi.
In the belly of the sea beast * the prophet Jonah prayed with his arms extended crosswise; * thus he clearly prefigured the saving Passion of Christ. * When after three days he emerged, * he was depicting the supernal resurrection from the dead * of Christ God, who was physically nailed to the Cross * and by His third-day arising illumined the universe. [GOASD]
Ode vii.
The impious tyrant’s preposterous decree disturbed the populace, * breathing threats and blasphemous pronouncements hateful to God. * His brutal anger did not intimidate * the three Servants, nor did the consuming fire. * But when the dew-laden breeze whistled against the fire, they joined it and together sang, * “Blessed are You, O Lord. You are highly praised, O God, the God of our fathers.” [GOASD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
You three pious Servants, * same in number as the Trinity, * bless God the Father, Maker of all; * sing a hymn to the Word who condescended * and who changed the fire in the furnace into dew; * as for the all-holy Spirit, who gives life to all, exalt Him * beyond measure unto the ages. [GOASD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
From Menaion - - -
Ode ix.
Canon 1 of the Feast.
Mode 4. Heirmos.
Ὁ τόκος σου ἄφθορος.
Your childbirth occurred without corruption. * It was God, wearing flesh, who came forth from your all-holy womb. * He was seen upon the earth and lived among men, O Theotokos; * therefore we all magnify you. [SD] (2)
Troparia.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Trembling at the new and brilliant shining, * suddenly illumined the Disciples * looked at one another. * And falling down with their faces to the ground, * they worshipped You the sovereign Master of the universe. [SD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
A sound thundering from God was sent up * from the cloud verifying the wonder. * For the Father of lights * cried aloud to the Apostles: * This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him. [SD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Having seen strange and marvelous wonders, * and having heard the voice of the Father * on Mount Tabor, the servants of the Word * cried out proclaiming unto the whole world: * He is our Savior and the impress of the Archetype. [SD]
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Invariable image of the One who is, * the seal that is neither moved nor altered, * Son and Logos and Wisdom and Arm, * and Right Hand and Strength of the Most High, * we all extol you with the Father and the Spirit. [SD]
From Menaion - - -
Canon 2 of the Feast.
Mode pl. 4. Heirmos.
Ἔφριξε πᾶσα ἀκοή.
All hearers shuddered when they heard * the unheard-of condescension of God to us: * that voluntarily * the Most High came down, and even bodily, * and from a Virgin’s womb was born, * becoming a man from her. * Hence, the immaculate * Theotokos we believers now magnify. [SD]
Troparia.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
That You might manifestly show * Your unutterable second descent to come, * how You the Most High God * will then be seen standing in the midst of gods, * You did ineffably shine forth * on Moses and Elias and * on the Apostles, O Lord, * on Mount Tabor. Hence we magnify You, O Christ. [SD]
Glory.
People, come listen to me. * Let us climb that mountain, holy and heavenly, and immaterially * stand in the city of the living God. * Let us noetically see * the immaterial Divinity * of the Father and the Spirit, * shining forth in the Only-begotten Son. [SD]
Both now.
You have enraptured me, O Christ, * with Your longing and transformed me with love divine. * I pray, completely consume * with immaterial fire all my sins. * And count me worthy to be filled * fully with the delight in You, * that I may magnify * both Your Comings, O good Master, exultantly. [SD]
Ode 9: Katavasia
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode pl. 4.
Theotokos, you are mystical Paradise, * for without husbandry you have blossomed Christ, * by whom on earth the Cross, as a life-bearing tree, has been planted and watered. * As it is now exalted, * we adore Him and worship Him and magnify you. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Exaposteilarion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. Automelon.
Φῶς ἀναλλοίωτον.
Unaltered light, O Logos, * of light, the unbegotten Father, * Your light appeared on Mt. Tabor, * today when You were transfigured. * In it we see light, the Father, * and light, the Spirit, * who guides with light all creation. [SD] (3)
Lauds. Mode 4.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
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 Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. When you were called.
Ὁ ἐξ ὑψίστου κληθείς.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Before Your Passion and holy crucifixion, * You went up Mt. Tabor, and You brought along the three * holy Disciples whom you had picked, wishing to show them * the divine glory, O Master, that is Yours. * And indeed they witnessed You transfigured, and they saw * that You were shining more brightly than the sun; and then they * fell on their faces and they were filled with awe * at Your dominion; and they cried aloud, * “Although willingly seen in the flesh, O Christ, * You are still, without changing, the Father’s brightness and timeless light.” [SD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Before Your Passion and holy crucifixion, * You went up Mt. Tabor, and You brought along the three * holy Disciples whom you had picked, wishing to show them * the divine glory, O Master, that is Yours. * And indeed they witnessed You transfigured, and they saw * that You were shining more brightly than the sun; and then they * fell on their faces and they were filled with awe * at Your dominion; and they cried aloud, * “Although willingly seen in the flesh, O Christ, * You are still, without changing, the Father’s brightness and timeless light.” [SD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
O God the Word, who exist before the ages, * who cover yourself with light as with a garment, O Lord, * with Your Disciples as witnesses You were transfigured, * O Logos, shining more brightly than the sun. * Moses and Elias stood beside You and confirmed * that You are truly the Lord of both the dead and living; * and they gave glory to Your ineffable * plan of salvation by becoming man, * whereby You in Your mercy have saved the world, * in Your great condescension, * for it was perishing because of sin. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
When Your Disciples were with You on Mt. Tabor, * the voice of the Father called You His beloved Son, * thereby acknowledging that You are the same in essence * and share the throne, and in You He is well pleased. * The Virgin from whom You were incarnate was the cloud * the Prophet called swift and light. And now, being transfigured, * a cloud of light has encompassed You, O Lord. * O Benefactor, very merciful, * in amazement and not knowing what to say, * Peter said to You, Jesus, “It is well that we are here, O Lord.” [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Christ took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” [SD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Grave Mode.
You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we may be, shine Your everlasting light, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You. [SD]