Books - Sources
Menaion - September 20
Memory of the Holy Great-martyr Eustathius and Companions
__________
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. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
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. [GOA]
Glory. For the Saints.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Your Martyrs, O Lord, were worthily awarded by You * the crowns of incorruption, in that they contested for You our immortal God. * Since they possessed Your power, they defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at their fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]
Both now.
Apolytikion. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
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. [GOA]
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 pl. 4. N/M (O Life of all, You rose.)
Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.
In the midst of Eden a tree put forth death; ⁄ in the midst of the earth a tree caused life to flower! ⁄ The incorrupt who tasted of the first became corruptible, ⁄ but those who received the second have inherited incorruption! ⁄⁄ As God You save the human race by the Cross! [OCA]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
In the midst of Eden a tree put forth death; ⁄ in the midst of the earth a tree caused life to flower! ⁄ The incorrupt who tasted of the first became corruptible, ⁄ but those who received the second have inherited incorruption! ⁄⁄ As God You save the human race by the Cross! [OCA]
Kathisma II.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. When he perceived.
Τὸ προσταχθέν.
Joshua of Nun formerly mystically prefigured * the figure of the precious Cross of You my Savior, * by extending his arms in cruciform, O Master. * At that time, the sun stood still until he destroyed * the enemies who opposed You the only God. * Now the same sun conceals its light * as it sees You on the Cross * destroying the might of death and despoiling Hades, O Lord. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
Joshua of Nun formerly mystically prefigured * the figure of the precious Cross of You my Savior, * by extending his arms in cruciform, O Master. * At that time, the sun stood still until he destroyed * the enemies who opposed You the only God. * Now the same sun conceals its light * as it sees You on the Cross * destroying the might of death and despoiling Hades, O Lord. [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 2. N/M (In seeking the heights.)
Holy Eustathius, ⁄ you were a manifest imitator of Christ in His Passion! ⁄ You drank of His cup with courage, ⁄ becoming a partaker and fellow-heir of His glory! ⁄⁄ The God of all gave you divine salvation from on high! [OCA]
Oikos.
O Lord my God, give me a hymn to extol Your medal-winner, and to relate his contests, that I may poetically praise Eustathios, who was brave in martyrdom. He was ever victorious in war against the enemies, he was a great man of true faith, and he is illustrious among the host of Martyrs. This wise man joins them and the Angels, unceasingly singing to You, and receiving divine salvation from on high. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On September 20, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Eustathius, and his wife Theopisti, and their two sons Agapius and Theopistus.
By the intercessions 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.” [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 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. [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.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. The Elder in the Temple.
Ἐν Πνεύματι τῷ Ἱερῷ.
You left behind you the delights * of the world and its pleasures. * Therefore you instead obtained * praise and glory immortal, * with your godly-minded sons * and your honorable wife. * And so we are observing * your all-sacred and divine * memory with love and longing. [SD]
Stavrotheotokion.
Mode 3. N/M (The Elder.)
We place our hope in you, Theotokos, ⁄ gaining a most perfect victory from our enemies! ⁄ We have the Cross of your Son as our trophy, ⁄ our shield, sword, spear and arrow: ⁄⁄ Our weapon against the devil! [OCA]
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 Saints.
From Menaion - - -
Idiomelon. Mode 4.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Who would not extol your blessed manner, O Eustathius! Valiantly you endured the assaults of the arch-evil enemy, and you were not defeated by the loss of your wife and children, but rather you spoke the grateful words of Job: “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb; naked shall I go to the only Creator and Savior of our souls.” [SD]
Idiomelon. Mode 4.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Who would not extol your blessed manner, O Eustathius! Valiantly you endured the assaults of the arch-evil enemy, and you were not defeated by the loss of your wife and children, but rather you spoke the grateful words of Job: “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb; naked shall I go to the only Creator and Savior of our souls.” [SD]
Idiomelon. Mode pl. 2.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
O Martyr, you are a dwelling of the incorrupt Son of Mary, and you ever dwell in immaterial light. Therefore pray to the uncreated Trinity, to be gracious to us. [SD]
Idiomelon. Mode pl. 4.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
O all-blessed Eustathius, you entered the innermost darkness, and you became a friend of the Sun of Righteousness, and by divine grace you drew nigh to the image that noetically appeared from on high by means of an animal, and you yourself became an animate image. Therefore, receiving the power coming from the Spirit and water, and being washed in the blood of martyrdom, you were counted worthy to join chorus with the angelic hosts. And now, bring us also closer to our Savior, Christ our God. [SD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
All-blessed Eustathius, you divested yourself of military rank of the earthly kingdom, and you fell in love with our Savior, who appeared to you in an image by means of an animal. Now in heaven you join chorus with your wife and sons. Therefore we entreat you, to intercede with the Lord, on behalf of our souls. [SD]
Both now. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Long ago, Moses prefigured Your precious Cross in himself, and he defeated Amalek and put them to flight. And David, that musician, called it a footstool and decreed that we worship You there, O Christ God. Today, as we sinners with unworthy lips kiss the Cross and worship You, who accepted to be nailed to it, we extol You and pray: Lord, as You did for the Robber, count us worthy of Your kingdom. [SD]
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. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. O House of Ephratha.
Οἶκος τοῦ Ἐφραθᾶ.
Seeing the holy Cross * exalted, let us offer * exultant praise and glory * to God, who in His goodness was crucified for us thereon. [GOASD]
Verse: Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet; for He is holy. [SAAS]
Logos, the Church, Your bride, * is splendidly adorned in * the water charged with God’s grace * and in Your blood, O Savior. She glorifies Your Cross in song. [SD]
Verse: God is our King before the ages; He worked salvation in the midst of the earth. [SAAS]
Savior, Your Cross’s wood * eradicates transgressions * and sin’s corruptive matter, as it is now exalted, enlightening the universe. [SD]
Glory. For the Saints.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Martyr Eustathius, ⁄ like Paul, not having received your call from men, ⁄ you grew in God through your trust in the Cross. ⁄ You manfully put to shame the ungodliness of tyrants and the cruelty of tortures! ⁄ You opposed sin even before shedding your blood, ⁄ fighting against the invisible foe! ⁄ You ever pray to God the King ⁄⁄ that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls! [OCA]
Both now. For the Cross.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
The saying of Your Prophet Moses has come to pass, O God. For he said, “You will see your Life hanging before your eyes.” Today, the Cross is elevated, and the world has been liberated from deception and error. Today, the church of Christ’s Resurrection was consecrated, and the ends of the earth are celebrating, offering You praise, as if with David’s cymbals, and saying, “O God, as You are good and humane, You worked salvation in the midst of the earth; for through Your Crucifixion and Resurrection, You have saved us. O Lord almighty, glory to You!” [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 Cross.
From Menaion - - -
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. [GOA]
(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, the Holy Great-martyr Efstathios and Company, whose memory we celebrate, 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.