Books - Sources
Menaion - September 24
Memory of the Holy Great-martyr Thecla, the Equal to the Apostles.
Menaion Supplement
The Synaxis in Honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, our Lady of the Myrtles
__________
VESPERS
PRIEST
Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.
READER
Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.
Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.
Psalm 103 (104).
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are magnified exceedingly; You clothe Yourself with thanksgiving and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain; You are He who covers His upper chambers with water, who makes the clouds His means of approach, who walks on the wings of the winds, who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. He established the earth on its stable foundation; it shall not be moved unto ages of ages. The deep like a garment is His covering; the waters shall stand upon the mountains; at Your rebuke they shall flee; at the sound of Your thunder, they shall be afraid. The mountains rise up, and the plains sink down to the place You founded for them. You set a boundary they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. You are He who sends springs into the valley; the waters shall pass between the mountains; they shall give drink to all the wild animals of the field; the wild asses shall quench their thirst; the birds of heaven shall dwell beside them; they shall sing from the midst of the rocks. You are He who waters the mountains from His higher places; the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of Your works. You are He who causes grass to grow for the cattle, and the green plant for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth; and wine gladdens the heart of man, to brighten his face with oil; and bread strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the plain shall be full of fruit, the cedars of Lebanon, which You planted; there the sparrows shall make their nests; the house of the heron takes the lead among them. The high mountains are for the deer; the cliff is a refuge for the rabbits. He made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night, wherein all the wild animals of the forest will prowl about; the young lions roar and snatch their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun arises, and they are gathered together; and they shall be put to bed in their dens. Man shall go out to his work and to his labor until evening. O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom; the earth was filled with Your creation. There is this great and spacious sea: the creeping things are there without number; the living things are there, both small and great; there the ships pass through; there is this dragon You formed to play therein. All things wait upon You, that You may give them food in due season. When You give it to them, they shall gather it; when You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness. But when You turn Your face away, they shall be troubled; when You take away their breath, they shall die and return again to their dust. You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let the glory of the Lord be forever; the Lord shall be glad in His works; He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist; may my words be pleasing to Him, and I shall be glad in the Lord. May sinners cease from the earth, and the lawless, so as to be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.
O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.
THE PEACE LITANY
DEACON
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.
For our Archbishop (name), for the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Holy and Great Church of Christ, for our Sacred Archdiocese, [for this Sacred Metropolis,] for this city and parish, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
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 to You belong all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CHOIR
Mode 1.
Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Hear me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried to You; hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry to You. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]
Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear me, O Lord. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.
The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.
They shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As a clod of ground is dashed to pieces on the earth, so their bones were scattered beside the grave.
For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.
Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.
Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.
I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.
I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.
When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.
For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.
I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.
Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.
I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.
The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Hide Stichologia
Stichera for the Theotokos.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode 1. Marvel at the wondrous paradox.
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου θαύματος.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle. * Today a luminous and most resplendent feast of feasts * has dawned on those living on the Isle of Kythira. * O heavens above, be glad, * and send down droplets of sweet spiritual joy. * O hosts of Angels on high, * join the believers of Kythira and cry aloud: * “Lady full of grace, rejoice, for the Lord is with you, * and through your intercessions * He bestows great mercy on the world.” [SD]
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle. * As they festively celebrate your holy miracle, * the pious Christians of Kythira receive the rays * of the never-setting light, * O all-immaculate Virgin Mother of God. * And all who were born on earth * by faith are brightened together with them and sing aloud: * “Lady full of grace, rejoice, for the Lord is with you, * and through your intercessions * He bestows great mercy on the world.” [SD]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle. * Such a blessing indeed has the Isle of Kythira * obtained and enjoys from you, O Lady graced by God. * For you loved the people there * as an affectionate Mother and gave to them * your Icon, which they revere * and which they cherish; and venerating it they sing: * “Lady full of grace, rejoice, for the Lord is with you, * and through your intercessions * He bestows great mercy on the world.” [SD]
For the Holy Woman.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.
Κύριε, εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
Lord our God, while St. Thekla sat by the window enthralled with longing and love for You, * mentally transported to heaven * she was standing by Your throne on high; * and she marveled at the great * incomparable majesty * of the benevolent Savior * who was incarnate to save our souls. [SD]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
Lord our God, Thekla ran to be with Your Apostle, * shackled as he was and bound in chains, * shaking off the chains of attachment * to all worldly and mundane affairs. * And rather chained by the might * of Your divine consuming love, * fully confirmed in You the Savior * of our souls, she bound herself to You. [SD]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
Lord our God, Thekla was deprived of her teacher * against her will and was left alone; * even so she had You with her present * in the hour of her martyrdom. * And though they stripped off her clothes, * Your holy glory covered her. * And You crowned her with Your own hand. * Now she zealously defends our souls [SD]
Glory. Both now. For the Theotokos.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode 1.
The people of Kythira know you to be truly a source of miracles. They come from all directions to your holy shrine. [SD]
Mode pl. 1.
O Lady, full of divine grace, they they kiss your holy Icon in grand veneration.
Mode 2.
They are exceedingly illumined by the rays and divine energy of the Spirit, O Theotokos.
Mode pl. 2.
They glorify you, the Queen of all and Protectress of the world. And in faith they honor you and supernally extol you. Glowing with joy, they gratefully shout, “Behold, the Queen of all has visited us.
Mode 3.
Let us all clap our hands, and let us venerate her Icon and kiss it with undefiled lips.
Grave Mode.
For the salvation of all humanity came through her. Perils and diseases are driven away, and health is granted to the sick ineffably.
Mode 4.
For her excellence surpasses all understanding.”
Mode pl. 4.
Therefore, O immaculate Theotokos, as you now live forever with the life-bearing King who is your Son, intercede unceasingly, that He guard us who glorify you, and that He save us from every hostile threat, since we are under your protection.
Mode 1.
And to the ages with splendor we call you blessed. [SD]
Stand for the Entrance.
DEACON (in a low voice)
Let us pray to the Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
ENTRANCE PRAYER
In the evening, in the morning, and at midday, we praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Master of all, benevolent Lord. Let our prayer be set forth before You as incense. Incline not our hearts to evil words or thoughts, but deliver us all from those who pursue our souls. For our eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You, and in You we hope. Leave us not embarrassed, O our God.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise.
CLERGY AND PEOPLE
Mode 2.
Gladsome light of holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; * and therefore the world glorifies You. [SD]
DEACON
The evening Prokeimenon!
CHOIR
Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him. [SAAS] (2)
Verse: You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness. You strengthened my heart when I was in distress.
The Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
The Readings
Menaion Supplement - - -
READER
The reading is from the book of Genesis.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Gn 28:10 – 17
Now Jacob went out from the Well of Oath and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. Then he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. So behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. Do not fear, the land on which you lie I will give to you and your seed. Also, your seed shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “The Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” So he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Prophecy of Ezekiel.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Ezk 43:27 – 44:4
Thus says the Lord: “When they have completed these days, then from the eighth day onward the priests shall offer upon the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the Lord God.” Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east; and it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, shall enter by it; therefore it shall remain shut. Only the prince shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and shall go out by the same way.” Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; and I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Pr 9:1 – 11
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who is without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave simpleness, that you may reign forever; seek wisdom, and live; and improve understanding by knowledge. He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding. For to know the law is the character of a sound mind. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.” [SAAS]
LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
DEACON
Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.
Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).
Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, protection, forgiveness, and remission of the sins of the servants of God, all pious Orthodox Christians residing and visiting in this city: the parishioners, the members of the parish council, the stewards, and benefactors of this holy church.
Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church, and for all our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, who here have been piously laid to their rest, as well as the Orthodox everywhere.
Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and all-venerable church, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people here present who await Your great and rich mercy.
PRIEST
For You are merciful and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
Stand for the reading of prayer.
READER
O Lord, keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is your name to the ages. Amen. O Lord, let your mercy be upon us for we have set our hope in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, Master, grant me understanding of your commandments. Blessed are you, Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy is forever. Do not despise the works of your hands. To you is due praise, to you is due song, to you is due glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. [HC] ( Amen. )
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our evening 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 evening 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 good and benevolent God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the 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)
Lord our God, who inclined the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance; for they have bowed their heads and bent their necks to You, the fearsome yet compassionate Judge, not expecting human help, but awaiting Your mercy and anticipating Your salvation. Guard them at all times, this evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from all demonic activity against them, from unprofitable reflections, and from wicked thoughts.
PRIEST (aloud)
Blessed and glorified be the majesty of Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Aposticha.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1. For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
O lovely virgin St. Thecla, renowned Apostles’ peer, * the pride of women martyrs * as their first, O Protomartyr: * Heal my soul and body, I beg you, from all * woeful passions and every wound, * and snatch me out of the fire that never ends, * by your prayers that are answered by God. [GOASD]
Verse: I waited patiently for the Lord, and He heeded me; and He heard my supplication. [SAAS]
Divine and almighty power of Christ delivered you, * O faithful Martyr Thecla. * It extinguished the fire, * raining on it, also refreshing you, * while unbelievers were justly burned. * It glorified you by saving you from the beasts * and the bulls that would have torn you apart. [GOASD]
Verse: And He established my feet on a rock and kept straight my steps. [SAAS]
Longing for Christ the most handsome and most pure Bridegroom, you left * your fiancé, O Thecla, * as you followed the teachings * of Paul the great Apostle and Saint of the Church, * who led many a bride to Christ. * And you were taken with him to delights on high, * now betrothed to Him for whom you longed. [GOASD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
You overcame the attacks of lions. You put Thamyris to shame, O Protomartyr and Apostle Thekla, and you followed after your Bridegroom and cried, “I have run after You, for the smell of Your ointments, O Christ.” You pursued Paul, and you received the gift of grace from heaven, and you obtained the crown from God who gives the awards. Now you unceasingly intercede that He grant forgiveness of offenses, to those who with faith observe your sacred memory. [SD]
Both now. For the Theotokos.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode pl. 1.
The words of the glorious Prophet Isaiah have come to pass. For he said: “Instead of the broom-tree shall come up the cypress, and instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle.” And now indeed the lowly myrtle has come up, and it is greatly exalted, above all other trees of the field. For the Icon of the all-pure Lady has risen from fragrant myrtles for the people of Kythira, as a badge of Orthodoxy and proof of good favor. Let us all joyfully take up branches of myrtle, and let us extol the Theotokos on this official day of the feast; and let us reverently venerate her Icon and salute her saying: “Rejoice, glory and joy of the people of Kythira, O immaculate Virgin.” [SD]
Stand for the reading of prayers
PRIEST
Song of Simeon
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. [NKJV]
PEOPLE
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.
For the Holy Woman.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. Your confession.
Θείας πίστεως.
All aflame with love for your Creator, * from the teachings of the sacred preacher, * you disregarded as fleeting all things mundane. * And being bold in the face of the penalties, * you gave yourself as a beautiful gift to God. * Thecla, glorious companion of the Apostle Paul, * we pray you entreat your Bridegroom, Christ, * and ask Him to grant us His great mercy. [SD]
Glory. Both now. For the Theotokos.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode 4. Come quickly.
Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε.
O come, all you people, and let us in faith clap our hands * and sing sacred songs to her who is the Mother of God, * and longingly cry aloud: * “Rejoice, O protection of all those who entreat you; * rejoice, the salvation of those who honor you with longing; * rejoice, O Lady who restored * the paralyzed man to health.” [SD]
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: Master, give the blessing.
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.
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 finding of whose holy icon “Our Lady of the Myrtles” we commemorate, 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 Thecla, the Equal to the Apostles, whose memory we observe, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Amen.