Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 1.
On Monday Morning
Menaion - September 2
Memory of the Holy Martyr Mamas, and our Devout Father John the Faster.
__________
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. For the Martyr.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]
Glory. For the Hierarch.
Mode 4.
A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. You were humble and therefore you acquired exalted gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. Holy and devout Father John, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4.
To you who were raised in the Temple, in the Holy of Holies, and who were clothed in faith and wisdom and measureless virginity, the Supreme Commander Gabriel from heaven brought the salutation, “Rejoice”; “Rejoice, O blessed Maiden! Rejoice, O glorified one! The Lord is with you.” [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 4. Then the short litany.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray 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
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 Octoechos - - -
For compunction.
Mode 1.
Conceived as I was in iniquities, I the prodigal dare not look up into heaven. But with confidence in Your benevolence, I cry out: O God be gracious unto me and save me. [SD]
Verse: O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your anger.
Mode 1.
If the righteous man is only scarcely saved, what shall become of me who am a sinner? I did not bear the burden and the heat of the day. Number me with those who came at the eleventh hour, O God, and save me. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1.
Immaculate Theotokos, who are blest in the heavens, and glorified on earth, rejoice, O unwedded Bride. [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 5. There is no litany, but immediately the following:
CHOIR
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
For compunction.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Make haste, open to me Your paternal embraces. * I prodigally spent all my means of subsistence. * O Savior, I look hopefully * to Your tender mercy’s inexhaustible wealth. * Do not overlook a heart that now is impoverished. * For to You, O Lord, do I cry out with compunction: * I have sinned against You, save me. [SD]
Verse: Look upon me and have mercy on me.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Your judgment seat is dreadful and just is the judgment. * Appalling are my deeds. But, O merciful Savior, * come quickly and rescue me. * From perdition deliver me. * From the portion of the goats redeem me, O Master. * O most righteous Judge, account me worthy, I beg You, * to stand at Your right hand. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Take pity on my soul, which is wretched, and steer it, * O Pure one, for I slipped beneath my many offenses * and into the deep abyss of perdition, O blameless one. * I implore you, save me from a dreadful conviction * in that frightful hour of my death, as the demons * are hotly accusing me. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma III.
For compunction.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Unwisely having strayed far from You, loving Master, * I squandered all I had through my riotous living, * and my serving slavishly the brutish passions incessantly. * Take me back, I pray, O compassionate Father, * as the Prodigal, through the prayers of the Angels, * and save me, I supplicate. [SD]
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
For the Martyrs.
Mode 1.
O Lord, You are the pride of the contest, the very dignity of the laurel crowns, which the glorious prize-winning Martyrs have put on as a garment. For by their endurance under torture they put the lawless men to flight. And by divine power from heaven they received the victory. Through their supplications set me free from the invisible enemies, O Savior, and save me. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
O Damsel, you surpass immaterial Armies, * and only you exceed the celestial Orders, * from whom you receive the praise * that is worthy, O purest Maid. * With the Angels pray unto your Son, interceding * that I the only one that is condemned be delivered * from the passions’ tyranny. [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.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. N/M (On this day.)
Shepherd your people upon life-bearing pastures with the staff that was given to you from God, holy one, but crush the invisible and savage beasts beneath the feet of those who hymn you, for all of us who are in dangers have gained you as our fervent support, O Mamas. [VPA]
Oikos.
Let us hymn the martyr Mamas, acclaimed in all the earth and in heaven dancing with the angels, who before, in the deserts, milked the deer and now, treating God’s own people well as a shepherd with the staff of power and guiding them to the place of green pasture, where there truly is the food of paradise. Therefore, all of us who are in dangers have gained you as our fervent support o Mamas. [VPA]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On September 2, we commemorate the holy martyr Mamas.
By the intercessions of Your saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode pl. 4.
Τὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
O extol Him, who on the holy mountain * showed His glory, as Lord, * and in the bush with fire * revealed to Moses knowledge of the mystery * of the Ever-Virgin, supremely exalting Him unto all the ages. [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 pl. 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 pl. 4.
Τὸν προδηλωθέντα.
Let us sing to Him who to Moses of old prefigured * in the burning bush the childbirth of ever-virgin Mary, * for the salvation of us the believers. * Let us magnify Him with unceasing hymns. [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 of the Day. For the Angels.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
We pray to you, O Archangels * and Angels, Principalities, * Authorities and Dominions, * and Thrones, and you the Cherubim * with many eyes, as well as you * the six-winged Seraphim, entreat * and intercede on our behalf, * that we be rescued from peril * and from everlasting hell fire. [SD]
For the Hierarch.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Faithfully we admirers * of your writings now honor * your glowing sacred memory; * and we extol you, Father, * very wise and godly-minded * hierarch John the Faster. * You were known as a God-inspired * preacher of true repentance, O blessed Saint, * and a champion of the awesome all-holy * Trinity. Standing now near God, * remember us in prayer. [SD]
For the Martyr.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. With the disciples.
Τῶν Μαθητῶν ὁρώντων σε.
When you, O holy Martyr, lived on the mountains, * the milk of wild deer was your food, O Mamas. * But eagerly contending in the arena, * you evidenced nobility. * And taking medals for winning, * you went to be near the Master. [SD]
Theotokion.
Mode 2. With the disciples.
The enemy, all-cunning and most deceitful, * who envied me because of my Paradisal * divine and blessed life of old in the Garden, * and who induced my banishment * from Eden, is put to death now * by your being born, O Virgin. [SD]
READER
Lauds. (read)
Psalm 148.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. 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. [SAAS]
Psalm 149.
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. [SAAS]
Psalm 150.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
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 Octoechos.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 1.
Another world awaits you, O my soul, and a Judge who will make public your awful secrets. So, no longer persist as you are, but anticipate the Judge and call to Him, “O God, be merciful to me and save me. [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]
Reject me not, O my Savior, overtaken as I am by the laziness of sin. Rouse my thinking to repentance: and make me an approved laborer of Your vineyard, and grant to me the wages of the eleventh hour, and the great mercy. [SD]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
Come, all you peoples, with spiritual songs and hymns, let us honor the prize-winning Martyrs of Christ. For they are the luminaries of the world and the preachers of the Faith, the ever-welling fountain from which the healings pour out to the believers. Through their supplications, O Christ our God, bestow peace upon Your world and great mercy upon our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
O Maiden holier than all the holy Powers on high, * O Theotokos passing all creation in honor, * benevolent Lady of all the world * who gave birth to the Savior Christ, * from countless sins and from perils save us, we pray, * through your fervent intercessory prayers. [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. For the Martyr.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]
Glory. For the Hierarch.
Mode 4.
A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. You were humble and therefore you acquired exalted gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. Holy and devout Father John, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4.
We are unequipped to praise you worthily, O Theotokos, for you are the highest of all things created. Therefore, we entreat you: As a gift to us, have mercy on us. [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.