Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode pl. 4.
On Monday Evening
Menaion - October 22
Memory of St. Abercius of Hierapolis; and the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus
__________
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 2.
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 St. Abercius.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. N/M (Joseph took You.)
Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
With the splendors of divine teachings ⁄ you destroyed the night of polytheism, Father Abercius! ⁄ You revealed the dawn in all-glorious miracles, ⁄ making those who were in darkness children of the day! ⁄ Therefore, we all celebrate your holy memory with faith, ⁄⁄ singing hymns to you, divinely inspired one! [OCA]
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
You wrought a miracle, Father, ⁄ mingling wine and oil in a single vessel, preserving them in that way, ⁄ but when needed you caused them to separate by divine grace! ⁄ By your supplication you caused a gift of warm water to gush forth ⁄ healing the infirmities of those who approach you with faith ⁄⁄ and call you blessed, Father Abercius! [OCA]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
Cleaving wholly to God, Abercius, ⁄ you revealed yourself fulfilling the teachings of God. ⁄ You received grace from on high, venerable one, ⁄ driving away mankind’s many infirmities! ⁄ You destroyed the temples of the idols, ⁄ planting the knowledge of God ⁄⁄ in those who languished in wretched ignorance, blessed one! [OCA]
For the Holy Seven Youths.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. N/M (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]
The blessed youths spurned the evil commands: ⁄ Submitting to God, they were bound, breaking the bonds of falsehood! ⁄ Rejecting worldly rank they have received the glory of perfection ⁄⁄ which won for them the joy of the heavenly Kingdom! [OCA]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
You trained yourselves mightily for the struggles of suffering, Saints. ⁄ You hid in a cave, entreating the Lord. ⁄ With unceasing supplications you sought power and might from Him ⁄ through His wisdom and judgments as the Lover of mankind. ⁄⁄ In a godly manner He commanded all of you to fall asleep in peace! [OCA]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
Come, people, let us earnestly hymn the witnesses of piety, ⁄ The divinely assembled regiment, ⁄ The blessed choir, the invincible company of martyrs, ⁄ The beautiful triumph of the Church of God, ⁄ The indivisible assembly, ⁄⁄ The unvanquished army and unshakable foundation of piety! [OCA]
Glory. For St. Abercius.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3.
O devout Hierarch, all-blessed father Abercius, wonder-worker and servant of Christ, you were distinguished by your prophetic life, and you were granted apostolic gifts of grace. We pray you, who serve the Savior unceasingly with the Angels, intercede that He rescue our souls from every threat. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 3. The power of Your holy Cross.
Μεγάλη τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου.
O Maiden, you are the divine angelic powers’ joy, * the glory of Apostles, * the Prophets’ confirmation, * the protection of the people who are faithful, * a guide unto salvation; * and therefore we bow down * before you, O Virgin. [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 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.
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 of the Octoechos.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Angels unceasingly extol You the King and Lord and Master. But I, like the Publican, am bowed as I implore You: O God, be gracious to me and save me. [SD]
Verse: I lift my eyes to You, who dwell in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the maidservant look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He shall have compassion on us. [SAAS]
O soul of mine, since you are immortal, let not mundane concerns inundate you. Come to your senses, and pray to your Benefactor: “O God, be gracious to me and save me.” [SD]
Verse: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are greatly filled with contempt; our soul is greatly filled with it. We are a disgrace to those who prosper, and a contempt to the arrogant. [SAAS]
For the Martyrs.
Martyrs of the Lord, we pray you earnestly entreat our God, and ask for an abundance of tender mercy for our souls, and the forgiveness of our many sins. [SD]
Glory. For the Holy Seven Youths.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Come, all creation, let us send up praise, according to the Psalms, with resounding and triumphant cymbals, to God, who showed us the resurrection, even before the general resurrection. For through the prayers of the pious Emperor, He resurrected from the earth the Seven Holy Youths, who had died three-hundred seventy-two years earlier, in order to put down the unbelieving opponents and send them to eternal shame, and for the glory and praise of those who fear Him. Indeed the Lord knows how to glorify those who glorify Him. And He does the will of those who fear Him in truth, as the only compassionate and benevolent Lord. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.
Lady Theotokos, we cry out saluting you: Rejoice! * You are God’s most pure dwelling place. * Rejoice! Divine chariot * of the Logos, where God was held. * Rejoice! O palace that God made for himself. * Rejoice! O treasure that God provides to us. * Animate bridal room * of our God. The holy Table and the Ark * symbolize you, for in you the Holy Spirit dwelt. [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 Saint.
Mode 4.
A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. You were humble and therefore you acquired exalted gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. Father holy hierarch Abercius, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]
Glory. For the Martyrs.
Mode 4.
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. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
O humble sinners, let us now run in earnest * unto the Theotokos, and in repentance * fall down to her and cry out from the depths of our souls: * Show compassion unto us * and provide your assistance. * Hasten; we are perishing * in our many transgressions. * Turn not your servants empty-handed away; * for we have found you, O Lady, our only hope. [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, the Holy Equal to the Apostles Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis, the Wonder-worker, and the Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus, 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.