Books - Sources
Menaion - October 14
Memory of the Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasios, Protasius, and Celsus; and St. Cosmas the Hymnographer
__________
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 4.
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 Martyrs.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. To a brave one.
Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
When the Faith’s holy champions * fought and finished the fight and race, * then they were awarded the crowns of victory. * They were the brave St. Nazarius * and great St. Protasius * and St. Celsus the most wise, * godly-minded Gervasius; * whom let us extol * as courageous and holy men in armor, willing sacrificial victims, * and heirs with Christ of the kingdom on high. [SD]
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
Let us honor Nazarius and extol St. Protasius, * also godly Celsus and St. Gervasius, * for they competed most famously * diminished pagan deceit * and with the angelic hosts * they enjoy sacred company. * From the hand of God, * who gives life, they received the crowns of victory, and by participation * in the divine they were deified. [SD]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
Godly-minded Nazarius * shined the light of the God-inspired * Gospel that he preached in the cities he went through. * And imitating his faith and life, * for virtue and godliness * Celsus also gained renown, * also trampling the crafty foe. * Come all, let us praise * those physicians of souls and luminaries, guiding lights of those in darkness; * and let us sing hymns to honor them. [SD]
For St. Cosmas.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. To a brave one.
Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
When your mind was illumined by * rays of light of the Spirit of God, * you became a light-bearer, O praiseworthy Saint. * And you brought cheer to the universe * with the beauty of your words; * and you taught us to extol * all the wonders and miracles * that the Savior did * being God, in His power and compassion, and His voluntary Passion, that He endured for the sake of all. [SD]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
Church of Christ, deck yourself with light, * and indeed from the highest place * call out to your children to come and celebrate. * For St. Cosmas, yes the Spirit’s harp, * that heavenly instrument, * glorious and most divine, * has invited us mystically * to a sacred feast, * where he offers mellifluous divinely written poems and the music * that he composed by the grace of God. [SD]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
You became like a clarion, * sweetly singing your songs and odes * of the saving Passion and miracles of Christ * and the Dormition of His all-pure * Mother, O devout Cosmas, * bringing joy to all who hear * and who sing your melodious * hymns and poetry. * So we all, as is truly right, now honor and extol your own all-lauded * sacred translation to God on high. [SD]
Glory. For the Martyrs.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Let us extol Nazarius, Protasius, Gervasius, and Celsus, those rational sacrificial victims, for they brought down all the madness of the tyrants along with the idols. Therefore, we entreat You, O Christ our God, that by their prayers You grant to the world peace, and to our souls the great mercy. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode pl. 4. Lord, even though.
Κύριε, εἰ καὶ κριτηρίῳ.
Frightened am I by the hour of the verdict, * for I have spent my entire life * carelessly like no other person * ever has in all of history. * O Virgin Mother of God, * come help me now before the end, * and free my soul from its awful bondage * and the power of the enemy. [SD]
(No Entrance)
Stand for the hymn.
READER
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 pl. 4.
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. [SAAS] (2)
Verse: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord.
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.
Through many prayers and by fasting and frequent vigils at night, * you mortified the sinful carnal passions completely; * O blessed St. Cosmas, and your soul you revived * through performing virtuous deeds * and through dispassion, while holding correct beliefs. * Then you went to life that never ends. [SD]
Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]
O St. Cosmas, you have authored poetic texts for feasts * of Christ our God and also His immaculate Mother, * the holy Theotokos, with words God-inspired * and with poems and metered hymns. * We celebrate them with reverent joy each year, * with your sacred songs adorning them. [SD]
Verse: The mouth of the righteous shall meditate on wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment. [SAAS]
O blessed Saint, as you stand now near the celestial light, * give light and joy to us who are on earth celebrating * the sacred and divine and most luminous feast * of your memory, O Cosmas. * Dispel the fog of the passions, also the night * of our troubles, by your radiant prayers. [SD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Let us extol in song that spiritual songwriter, using the words of the psalm-writer David. “Grace was poured out on your lips, O devout Father, and your tongue became the pen of a swift-writing scribe, beautifully composing for us the songs of salvation. Through them we have been taught how to glorify in song the saving plan of Christ and the great mystery of the Holy Trinity, as we entreat that great mercy be given to our souls.” [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.
From my wretched heart expel my bad habits that keep me far * from your good Son, my Savior Christ, * O all-blameless and all-good * Theotokos, I humbly pray. * And by the power that He has given you, * frustrate the crafty serpent who watches me, * that wicked lion who * roams about and seeks to swallow me alive, * that crooked infernal snake; crush him beneath my feet. [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.
Apolytikion. For the Martyrs.
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]
Glory. For the Devout Man.
Mode pl. 4.
Guide of Orthodoxy and a sacred teacher of piety and dignity, luminary of the world, and God-inspired jewel of the episcopate, O wise father Cosmas, the Spirit’s instrument: by your teachings you enlightened all. Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Rejoice, O Maiden! Through an Angel you received the joy of the world! Rejoice, for you gave birth to your Creator and Lord! Rejoice, for you were counted worthy to become the Mother of Christ our God! [SD]
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
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 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 Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasios, Protasius, and Celsus; and St. Cosmas the Hymnographer, 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.