Books - Sources
Menaion - September 23
The Conception of the Honorable Forerunner
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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.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
Sing now, O barren one who did not bear before, * for you have indeed conceived the burning lamp of the Sun; * and he will illuminate * all the world afflicted * with spiritual blindness. * Dance, O Zacharias, and now openly cry out: * “The one who is to be born is a Prophet of the Most High God.” [SD]
Glory. Repeat.
Sing now, O barren one who did not bear before, * for you have indeed conceived the burning lamp of the Sun; * and he will illuminate * all the world afflicted * with spiritual blindness. * Dance, O Zacharias, and now openly cry out: * “The one who is to be born is a Prophet of the Most High God.” [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4.
O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [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 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. 1. As the Father and Spirit.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον.
When the barrenness plaguing Elizabeth was loosed, * then the Archangel Gabriel went and said, “Rejoice!” * to the Virgin, who conceived and remained a virgin still. * The holy Forerunner was leaping for joy in the womb, * when he perceived that his Master * and God had become incarnate * in the virgin womb for the salvation of all. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode pl. 1. As the Father and Spirit.
Holy Mountain, like that on which God once walked, rejoice! * Metaphorical bush that was not consumed, rejoice! * Only bridge connecting the world to God * and conveying mortal humans to everlasting life, * rejoice, immaculate Lady! * Ever remaining a virgin, you gave birth to Him who saves our souls. [GOASD]
Kathisma II.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. N/M (Come quickly.)
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
The sacred Forerunner has been born: ⁄ The dove that loves the wilderness. ⁄ He preaches repentance ⁄ and shows the incarnate Christ! ⁄ He is the intercessor for all sinners, ⁄ ever helping all who are tossed by storms! ⁄⁄ By his prayers, save Your world, O Christ! [OCA]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Immaculate Virgin, you alone conceived in your womb * the Maker of all, and by your giving birth you alone * have honored humanity. * Free me from all the snares that the devil has set for me, * establish my on the rock of the words and the will of Christ. * To Him who became incarnate from you, pray for me earnestly. [GOASD]
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 1. N/M (In heaven.)
Zachariah rejoices greatly with his wife Elizabeth, ⁄ for she has conceived John the Forerunner! ⁄ The angel announced him in gladness, ⁄⁄ and we honor him, proclaiming this blessing! [OCA]
Oikos.
Let us open the holy Gospel and read what was written for us by Luke, that holy and marvelous Evangelist. And we shall see a joyous and remarkable conception. As he says, when Zechariah, elderly and righteous, entered the Holy of Holies to offer incense, when his division was on duty, Gabriel appeared to him, bringing good tidings and saying, “O high priest, you will have a son in your old age. He will be a Prophet and Forerunner, a voice and a preacher, the ever-shining lamp, the mystic of grace.” [GOASD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On September 23 we remember the conception of the holy and glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Katavasias Odes 1-8
CHOIR
Katavasias of Theotokos
Ode i. Mode 4.
I open my mouth and pray the Spirit fill it, like David said, * to pour out a good word to the Queen and Mother of God. * I will celebrate * her feast with joy and gladness * and sing to her merrily, lauding her miracles. [GOASD]
Ode iii.
Establish your servants who extol you, * O Mother of God, for they have formed * a spiritual choir for you * the living and abundant fount; * and graciously in your divine glory give glorious crowns to them. [GOASD]
Ode iv.
When the Prophet Habakkuk heard the divine * and incomprehensible counsel of Your Incarnation * from the Virgin, O Most High, * considering, he cried aloud: * Glory to Your strength, O Lord my God. [GOASD]
Ode v.
Amazed was the universe by your divine magnificence. * You who were perpetually virgin * carried the heavenly God of all in your womb * and gave birth to the eternal Son, * who awards salvation to all who sing hymns of praise to you. [GOASD]
Ode vi.
O godly-minded believers, come * and celebrate this sacred and venerable feast and thus extol * the Theotokos, and clap our hands, * and glorify our God who was truly born of her. [GOASD]
Ode vii.
Godly-minded three * did not adore created things in the Creator’s stead; * rather, disdaining the threat * of fire, they trampled it, and joyfully they sang: * “O supremely praised * and most exalted Lord and God * of the fathers, You are blessed.” [GOASD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Guiltless were those Servants in the furnace. * The Son of the Theotokos went and rescued them. * He who was prefigured then, * having been incarnate now, * is gathering the whole wide world into His Church to sing: * “O all you works of the Lord, to all ages * sing praises to the Lord and exalt Him beyond measure.” [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]
Ode 9: Katavasia
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 4.
All you born on earth, * with festival lamps in hand, in spirit leap for joy; * and all you the heavenly angelic orders, join in and celebrate; * and honoring the sacred wonders of the Mother of God, * sing the joyful salutation, “O rejoice, * Theotokos, all-blest, ever-virgin pure!” [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 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Today the holy Forerunner’s * wondrously wrought conception * foretells the coming of the King * to be born of the Virgin, * as he himself will be also * from the childless and barren * Elizabeth and elderly * Zacharias the great priest. Save us, O Lord, * by their prayers and those of the Theotokos * and those of Your baptizer John, * and on us all take pity. [SD]
Theotokion.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
We who have been delivered from * the primal curse, O pure one, * through your divine delivery, * shout the august Archangel’s * “Rejoice,” and thus we salute you * with great joy and thanksgiving. * Adam’s redemption, O rejoice, * Theotokos and Virgin. Rejoice, through you * we have been delivered from death, O Maiden. * Rejoice, through whom we have obtained * the Kingdom of the heavens. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 1.
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 Forerunner.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Now all the world is exultant * in your conception today, * O holy John the Baptist, * the Forerunner and Prophet. * For your divine childbirth is a signal for us * of the Lord’s own nativity. * And therefore you are deservingly now extolled * here on earth by us in unison [SD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Now all the world is exultant * in your conception today, * O holy John the Baptist, * the Forerunner and Prophet. * For your divine childbirth is a signal for us * of the Lord’s own nativity. * And therefore you are deservingly now extolled * here on earth by us in unison [SD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
The Angel found the conception * of the infertile one * as a wonderful witness, * which he offered to Mary, * presenting it as proof. Therefore we extol * the once childless Elizabeth * and Zacharias her husband, the priest of God, * and their son, the holy Baptist John. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
Now the divinely prepared lamp * of the eternal light, * and the friend of the Bridegroom, * the great star of the morning * before the Sun of glory, the living voice * of God’s Word, and the Forerunner * of the appearance of Christ is conceived today * at the sound of the angelic voice. [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Elizabeth had conceived the Forerunner of grace; the Virgin conceived the Lord of glory. The mothers greeted each other, and the babe leaped for joy; for even in the womb, the servant extolled the Master. The mother of the Forerunner marveled, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” That He might save a people in despair, He who has the great mercy. [SD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, 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 hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. 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.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
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.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
Sing now, O barren one who did not bear before, * for you have indeed conceived the burning lamp of the Sun; * and he will illuminate * all the world afflicted * with spiritual blindness. * Dance, O Zacharias, and now openly cry out: * “The one who is to be born is a Prophet of the Most High God.” [SD]