Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 1.
On Wednesday Morning
Menaion - September 4
Memory of the Holy Hieromartyr Babylas, Bishop of Antioch; and the Holy Prophet and God-seer Moses.
__________
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 Hieromartyr.
Mode 4.
Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Babylas. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. [SD]
Glory. For the Prophet.
Mode 2.
As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Moses, through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2.
You are supremely glorified, O Virgin Theotokos; we sing your praise. By your Son’s crucifixion, Hades was overthrown and death itself has died. We who were dead have risen and have been granted life. We have received the original enjoyment of Paradise. Therefore we give thanks and send up glory to Christ our God, the only strong and very merciful Lord. [GOASD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 10. 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 the Cross.
Mode 1.
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. [SD]
Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy.
Mode 1.
When You were crucified, O Christ, the enemy’s tyranny was lifted and his power was crushed. For it was no Angel nor mere man, but You, the Lord himself, who saved us. Glory to You! [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode 1.
We have obtained your protection, O immaculate Lady, and by your earnest entreaties we are saved from calamities. In everything we are guarded by the Cross of your Son. We all dutifully magnify you piously. [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 11. There is no litany, but immediately the following:
CHOIR
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
For the Cross.
Mode 1. The stone had been secured.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
We venerate the wood of Your Cross, O humane One, * for You, the Life of all, were nailed to it. * O Savior, You opened Paradise to the Robber who approached You with faith. * He was counted worthy of delight, confessing You, Remember me, O Lord. * Accept us as You accepted him, * for we now cry, We all have sinned * against Your compassion. Do not abandon us. [SD]
Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
To Constantine the Great, that most pious of Rulers, * in time of war, the Cross was revealed to be armor, * an invincible monument of defeat over foes by faith. * Hostile forces now shudder before it and tremble. * For believers all it has become their salvation, * and the boast of the Apostle Paul. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
The blameless Virgin pure, the metaphorical Ewe-lamb, * beheld her lamb and Lord on the cross, and she cried out, * “O wonder, most strange indeed! O most dreadful of mysteries! * How can He whose hand carries the whole of creation * be convicted by unlawful judges and sentenced * to death and be crucified?” [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma III.
For the Cross.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
By stretching out Your hands on the Cross, loving Master, * You gathered to yourself all the nations that wandered * afar from You, to glorify Your abundant benevolence. * We entreat You now to look upon us the people * of Your inheritance, and smite those warring against us, * by the power of Your precious Cross. [SD]
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
For the Martyrs.
Mode 1.
The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, O only benevolent God. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
The Maiden free of stain, the rational Ewe-lamb, * when she beheld the Lamb and Shepherd crucified, cried out, * lamenting and shedding tears as she saw her Son hanging dead, * “How shall I extol Your condescension which no one * comprehends, my Son, and Your voluntary Passion, * O God most benevolent?” [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 pl. 4. N/M (O Planter.)
Ὡς ἀπαρχάς.
The Church is shining brilliantly today as she glorifies you, the preacher of the true faith and the support of martyr athletes. Since you have confidence in prayer, we who extol you ask you to implore Christ, to preserve us in perfect peace, O glorious Martyr who suffered much. [SD]
Oikos.
Clearly perceiving the vanity of the world, being a stranger in the world, and imitating the Passion of Christ, you put to death the passions of the body; and taking up your cross, you followed your Creator. As you are with Him now, entreat Him on behalf of us who truly honor you, O glorious Martyr who suffered much. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On the September 4, we commemorate the holy Hieromartyr Babylus, Bishop of Greater Antioch, and three holy children with him, who died by the sword.
By the intercession of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.
Χεῖρας ἐκπετάσας Δανιήλ.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Daniel shut the lions’ gaping mouths inside the den of old, by stretching out his hands. * The three young men overcame the force * of the furnace fire, having girt * themselves in virtue, for they loved * godliness, and were together singing, * “Bless the Lord and praise Him, all you works of the Lord.” [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 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.
Λίθος ἀχειρότμητος.
A cornerstone was cut out without hands from a never-quarried mountain, * which prefigured you, holy Virgin. * The stone is Christ, who joined the disparate natures. * As we rejoice because of this, O Theotokos, we magnify you. [GOASD]
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 Cross.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
We praise you now, O holy Cross, and venerate you faithfully, * and worthily we extol you, * for you are the Faith’s supporter, * the weapon undefeatable, a refuge great and most secure, * the guardian of the Orthodox, * the pride and joy of all Christians, * the glory of holy martyrs. [SD]
For the Saints.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.
Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.
You were God’s priest and victim, * O Hieromartyr Babylas; * you served the bloodless oblation,* and with your blood were offered up, * along with the perfect infants. * We praise you and them together. [SD]
Theotokion.
Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.
O Virgin, strike down all those * who fail to salute your icon * and that of your Son and God as well * sincerely and with correct faith; * and also, since they are godless, * deliver them to Gehenna. [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.
To You, who were nailed to a cross, and who granted us life, our Savior and Master, we sing praises unceasingly. [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]
By means of Your Cross, O Christ, there is now one flock and one Church, of Angels and humans. Heaven and earth are exultant. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
O Martyrs extolled in all the world, neither tribulation nor distress, neither persecution nor famine, neither flogging nor angry beasts, neither sword nor threat of fire, could separate you from God. Rather, moved by your love for Him, you competed as though you were not in your own bodies, and in scorning death you eluded nature. Therefore you have worthily received the reward for your labors, and you have become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. We pray you never cease interceding on behalf of our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Stavrotheotokion.
For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Logos of God, when your Mother, the rational Ewe, * stood by Your Cross, she cried out as she loudly lamented, * “How is it, my Son, that You die on a cross? Sweetest light of my eyes, alas! * Where has the fairness and handsomeness of Your face, * which surpasses that of all men, now set?” [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 Hieromartyr.
Mode 4.
Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O God-inspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Babylas. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. [SD]
Glory. For the Prophet.
Mode 2.
As we celebrate the memory of Your Prophet Moses, through him we importune You, O Lord, that You save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 2.
We magnify you, O Theotokos, and we cry out: Rejoice! You are the gate that was shut; and through you Paradise of long ago was opened to humanity. [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 the holy hieromartyr Babylas, whose memory we observe, 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.