Matins - Alternative Commemoration Friday, August 16, 2024

Books - Sources

Menaion Supplement - August 16

Memory of our devout father Gerasimos of Kephallenia

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MATINS

CHOIR

Mode 1.

God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]

Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.

Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.

Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Apolytikion.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. As a citizen of the desert.

Τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτης.

Most venerable God-bearing father Gerasimos, * God who cares for all things manifested you on the earth * a protector of believers everywhere, * and their helper who is quick to offer aid. * For you remedy the ailments of both the soul * and body by the grace you have. * Glory to Christ, who glorified you! * Glory to Him for your miracles! * Glory to Him for all the cures that He works through you. [SD]

Glory. Another.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 1. As a citizen of the desert.

Τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτης.

As the offspring of Trikkala, the pride of Cephalonians, * protector of Omalon Monastery, we extol you, O Gerasimos. * For truly in this life you lived on earth * as a heavenly angel of God. * And therefore your precious body was counted worthy of glory and incorruption. * Glory to Christ who glorified you; * glory to Him who kept you from decay: * glory to Him who gave you to the faithful, as one who sleeplessly intercedes. [SD]

Both now.

Apolytikion of the Feast.

From Menaion - - -

Mode 1.

You gave birth yet preserved your virginity. You fell asleep in death yet did not desert the world, O Theotokos. You were transported to life, as you are Mother of Life and, by virtue of your intercessions, deliver our souls from death. [SD]

PRIEST

Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST

Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

PRIEST

For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

CHOIR: Amen.

CHOIR

Kathisma I.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Appearing recently unto the universe, * O wise one, being rich in godly virtues all, * you clearly proved yourself to be a bright shining luminary. * Therefore, celebrating you, * who were placed as a firm support * of the Church, we sing to you, * who are sparkling with gifts of grace. * And we, thus blessed with you as protector, * honor your memory with anthems. [SD]

Glory.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Menaion Supplement - - -

When He beheld your mind’s exceeding purity, * and your persistence in ascetic discipline, * and your angelic way of life, the Giver of crowns of honor * glorified you splendidly * and adorned you with gifts of grace, * and He has assigned you to us * as our helper and guardian. * And therefore to the Lord does your Island * gratefully send up hymns of glory. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 3. You were so beautiful.

Τὴν ὡραιότητα.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Seedless conception once preceded childbirth, * and in dormition now is death without decay. * This twofold miracle is seen in you only, Theotokos. * Virgin Mary, how did you * nurse a babe while remaining chaste? * Being buried, now are you * emitting fragrance, O Mother of God! * And therefore with the Angel we sing to you: * Rejoice, O Maiden full of grace. [SD]

Kathisma II.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode 3. On this day.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

As if being bodiless on earth, excelling in virtue, * you became a practicer of a celestial life-style. * Blessed one, as an abode of the Holy Spirit, * you in turn were glorified with the grace of healing. * Therefore, all of us with longing * revere your body, divine Gerasimos. [SD]

Glory.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Donning the adornment of resplendent virtue, * you, O blessed Saint, received from God the ornament of grace, * and to the faithful your ven’rable * body was given, a wellspring effusing grace. [SD]

Both now. For the Feast.

Mode 4. You revealed yourself today.

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον.

Menaion Supplement - - -

All the world, noetically adorned in splendor * by the immaterial Spirit, at your august repose, * in exultation cries out to you: Rejoice, O Virgin, the boast of us Christians all. [SD]

Kathisma III.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

Being roused by the yearning of divine love, * and illumined as well by the light of grace, * you left all the world behind * and you followed the Master Christ, * angelically completing your life as if bodiless, * having in soul and body completely been purified. * Thus you have received as a reward for your labors * the grace to do miracles, * having been God’s receptacle, * O God-bearing Gerasimos. * Intercede with Christ our God, * that forgiveness of offenses be bestowed * on those observing your holy memory with faith and love. [SD]

Glory. Both now.

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the wisdom.

Τὴν Σοφίαν καὶ Λόγον.

You conceived God without ever being sown, * incorruptibly bearing Him in the flesh. * And now you are putting on * the Spirit’s new incorruption. * For as you are the Mother of Life and the Queen of all, * you were transferred, O Virgin, to life immaterial. * Therefore, you were rightly manifested as truly, * the cloud, from which emanates * the water that gives us life, * O all-blameless Mother of God. * Intercede with your Son and our God, * that forgiveness of offenses be bestowed * on those who honor your holy Assumption with right belief. [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

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.

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 115.

- c1111 - SDedes

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. (2)

Verse: What shall I give back to the Lord for all He rendered to me?

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [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. 6:17 – 23

At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” [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]

Menaion Supplement - - -

CHOIR

Glory. Mode 2.

At the intercession of Your holy Ascetic, 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 pl. 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]

From God to the faithful, O holy Gerasimos, has been given a treasure that is secure: your most venerable body. Therefore, you unceasingly pour out spiritual gladness, and the grace of healings, to those who run faithfully, to your sacred coffin, O blessed one. Intercede with Christ our God, that through all dangers He deliver us unharmed. [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; our devout and God-bearing father Gerasimos the New Ascetic, whose memory we celebrate, 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.

READER

From Menaion - - -

Kontakion of the Feast.

Mode pl. 2. Automelon.

Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις.

The Theotokos is undying in intercession.* Immovable is our hope in her for protection. * Neither death nor burial prevailed over her. * As she is Mother of Life, she was removed to life by Him, * the Lord who lived in her ever-virgin womb. [SD]

Kontakion. For the Saint.

Menaion Supplement - - -

Mode pl. 4. O Champion General.

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ.

God-bearing father and most glorious Gerasimos, * you ever come to our assistance in adversities, * as our helper and our earnest God-sent defender. * So with songs we praise you loyally, acclaiming you * as your Island’s very sympathetic guardian. * And we cry to you: O rejoice, ever-blessed one! [SD]

Oikos.

Let us be merry in God, at this most august and joyous feast of the newly appearing devout Saint; and with longing let us cry out to him: “O God-bearing father Gerasimos, glorified by God, you most wisely followed the angelic way of life on earth, and from God you received the crown in heaven, and by divine grace you were brightened with the incorruption of your body. By your intercessions, deliver your Monastery and your Island from any assault or hardship, and free them from impending distress. For both have you as their most earnest protector, and they do not cease from crying to you: O rejoice, ever-blessed one!” [SD]

Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

On August 16, we commemorate our devout father St. Gerasimos the New Ascetic from the island of Kefallinia.

Verses

Honors are due to Gerasimos the New,

crowned with the honors of Saints before him.

On this day we also commemorate the holy Martyr Diomedes.

On this day devout Saint Chaeremon died in peace.

On this day we also commemorate the holy 33 Martyrs from Palestine who died by the sword.

On this day we commemorate the entry of the Icon of the Face of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, which was not made by hands, from the city of Edessa into that God-protected Queen of Cities, Constantinople.

On this day we remember God’s immense and unsurpassed benevolence, which He demonstrated when He routed and put to shame the godless Hagerenes, by the mediation of our all-holy Lady the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.

On this day we remember when the water of the Life-giving Spring stopped and then started flowing again.

On this day we also remember when at that time our humane God delivered us, against all hope, from the threat of earthquake, which was fearful and yet tempered by tender mercy.

The holy Neo-martyr Stamatios of Volos, who witnessed in Constantinople in the year 1680, died by the sword.

Our devout father St. Timothy, Archbishop of Evripos, the founder of the Holy Monastery of Pendeli, reposed in peace.

By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy and save us. Amen.

Katavasias Odes 1-8

CHOIR

Katavasias of Dormition

Ode i. Mode 1.

Adorned with glory divine, O Virgin, * is your most sacred and illustrious memorial, * gathering the faithful all together joyfully to sing * in processions led by Mariam, with timbrels and dancing, * to your Only-begotten Son. * For He has been greatly glorified. [GOASD]

Ode iii.

O Wisdom of our God and His Power that has created * and is sustaining the universe, * reinforce Your Church, O Christ, * preserving her unshaken and unmoved. * For You alone are holy, * O Lord, and You repose in Your holy ones. [GOASD]

Ode iv.

Sayings of the Prophets and mysteries * revealed Your incarnation from a Virgin mystically, O Christ: * that Your lightning’s brightness as light for Gentiles would emanate. * The abyss calls out to You with a voice of gladness: * To Your strength be glory, benevolent Lord! [GOASD]

Ode v.

O Christ, I shall tell of Your virtues * and of their beauty, divine and ineffable: * As coeternal and hypostatic radiance * you shone from glory eternal; and coming forth * incarnate from the Virgin’s womb, * You have risen as a Sun * on those in darkness and in the shadow of death. [GOASD]

Ode vi.

Briny and born of the deep, * the fire in the maw of the whale * was a prefiguring of Your three-daylong burial; * and of this figure was Jonah the interpreter. * For, preserved unscathed as before he was swallowed up, he cried out: * I shall sacrifice to You with a voice of praise, O Lord. [GOASD]

Ode vii.

Counterposed against audacious ire * and the furnace’s fire, the love for God * made the fire cool as dew, * while the ire it derided, * counteracting in the midst * of flames the musical organs with the three-toned, rational, * God-inspired lyre, * the three holy Servants chanting: Lord our God, * You are glorified, O God * of our fathers, You are blessed. [GOASD]

Ode viii.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Unto the Servants in the furnace, * God’s almighty Angel showed a flame * burning the impious, but the saints * cooling as with dew. * Into a life-welling fountain He has made the Theotokos, * gushing destruction upon death, but life to those who sing the hymn: * We who have been redeemed chant in praise of the only Creator, * exalting Him supremely unto all the ages. [GOASD]

Stand for the singing of Ode ix.

DEACON

Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.

CHOIR

Ode ix.

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]