Books - Sources
Hieratikon
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Menaion - August 29
Commemoration of the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.
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LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.
Psalm 102.
Psalm 145.
The Beatitudes.
Mode pl. 4.
In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]
Canon 1 for the Saint.
Ode iii. Mode pl. 4. N/M (Lord, You are the firm.)
Σὺ εἶ τὸ στερέωμα.
From Menaion - - -
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]
When Herod was filled with strong drink, the infamous girl said to him: Herod, give me now the head of John on a platter. [OCA]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]
The girl danced and pleased sinful Herod. She drew him to have the Forerunner and Preacher killed. [OCA]
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]
Foolish and miserable transgressor Herod, what boldness from a wanton girl made you commit unjust murder? [OCA]
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]
Theotokion.
Give us help by your prayers, all-pure Virgin, and drive away the assaults of adversity. [OCA]
Canon 2 for the Saint.
From Menaion - - -
Ode vi. Mode pl. 4. N/M (I pray… grant.)
Χιτῶνά μοι παράσχου.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]
Gushing forth teachings divine for the fullness of the faithful, O glorious John, you announced to us the Lamb of God. [SD]
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]
As you stand near Christ, O Forerunner, do not neglect those who extol you, the true exemplar of dignity and of the strict life. [SD]
Glory.
O Forerunner and Prophet and Baptizer of Christ, grant peace to the world through your prayers, and guard our souls from any danger. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
We pray you, who by a word alone bore the Word within your womb, to deliver our souls from the entrapments of the foe. [SD]
Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns after the Entrance.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
The memory of the just is observed with hymns of praise; for you suffices the testimony of the Lord, O Forerunner. You have proved to be truly more ven’rable than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the river the One whom they proclaimed. Therefore, when for the truth you had contested, rejoicing, to those in Hades you preached the Gospel, that God was manifested in the flesh, and takes away the sin of the world, and grants to us the great mercy. [SD]
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion.
Mode 4.
Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility’s stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality’s ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, “The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.” [GKD]
Trisagios Hymn
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.
The Epistle
For the Forerunner.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.
The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse: Hear my voice, O God. [SAAS]
The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 13:25 – 33
In those days, as John was finishing his course, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.” Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus. [RSV]
Alleluia. Mode 4. Psalm 91.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 1: The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. [SAAS]
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 2: Those planted in the house of the Lord.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Gospel
For the Forerunner.
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Mk. 6:14 – 30
At that time, King Herod heard about the fame of Jesus, for his name had become known. He said, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. [RSV]
Hymn to the Theotokos.
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.
Communion Hymn. Psalm 111/112.
The righteous will be remembered for ever. [RSV] Alleluia.
Show Selected Verses.
Selected Psalm Verses for the Feast of the Holy Forerunner
1. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. [SAAS] (111:1)
2. His seed shall be mighty on earth. His righteousness continues unto ages of ages. [SAAS] (111:2)
3. For the upright, light springs up in darkness. [SAAS] (111:4)
4. A righteous man shall be in everlasting remembrance. [SAAS] (111:6)
5. His horn shall be exalted with glory. [SAAS] (111:9)
6. Now the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord. [SAAS] (36:39)
7. Light dawned for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. [SAAS] (96:11)
8. The righteous man shall be glad in the Lord, and shall hope in Him. [SAAS] (63:11)
9. The Lord swore to David this truth, and He shall not reject it. [SAAS] (131:11)
10. I shall set upon your throne one from the fruit of your loins. [SAAS] (131:11)
11. There I shall cause to spring up a horn for David; there I prepared a lamp for my anointed. [SAAS] (131:17)
12. Behold, I fled far away, and lodged in the wilderness. [SAAS] (54:8)
13. I have become like a pelican in a desert; I have become like an owl in a ruined house. [SAAS] (101:7)
14. I kept watch, and have become like a sparrow alone on a housetop. [SAAS] (101:8)
15. My knees were weak from fasting, and my flesh was changed because of the oil. [SAAS] (108:24)
16. He who walks blamelessly, and works righteousness. [SAAS] (14:2)
17. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. [RSV] (Ode 9b:8)
18. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. [RSV] (Ode 9b:8)
19. To give knowledge of salvation to his people. [RSV] (Ode 9b:9)
20. In the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God. [RSV] (Ode 9b:9)
21. I held to hard ways because of the words of Your lips. [SAAS] (16:4)
22. I declared Your truth and Your salvation. [SAAS] (39:11)
23. I did not hide Your mercy and Your truth from the great congregation. [SAAS] (39:11)
24. I said to those who transgress the law, “Do not transgress the law,” and to those who sin I said, “Do not exalt yourselves.” [SAAS] (74:5)
25. Behold, I shall not restrain my lips, O Lord, You know. [SAAS] (39:10)
26. And my tongue shall meditate on Your righteousness, and on Your praise all the day long. [SAAS] (34:28)
Hide Selected Verses.
Hymn after Holy Communion.
Mode 2.
We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.
DISMISSAL
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, whose memory we celebrate; 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.
Fasting Rule
Strict: Refrain from meat, fish, oil, dairy, and eggs.
It is a major feast.