Books - Sources
Menaion - October 26
Memory of the Holy Great-martyr Demetrius, the Myrrh-streamer; and Commemoration of the Earthquake.
__________
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.
The first stanza of Kathisma 1 of the Psalter may be read, followed by the short litany.
DEACON
Again and again in peace let us pray 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
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
Mode pl. 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 Saint.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. What a paradoxal.
Ὢ τοῦ παραδόξου.
If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle! * For both in heaven and earth * is rejoicing perceived today * clearly for the memory * of the Martyr Demetrius. * He is by angels enwreathed with hymns of praise, * while from the faithful receiving sacred songs. * Such was his martyrdom! * Oh, how well did he compete! Through him the foe * now has fallen utterly, for Christ defeated him. [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! * Unto the ends of the earth * does Demetrius ever shine * brighter than the sun by means * of the rays of his miracles. * He is illumined by never-setting light, * and he enjoys the unsetting radiance. * Clouds of barbarians * by his own illuminations are expelled; * illnesses are warded off; demons are driven away. [SD]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
What a paradoxical miracle! * Having been pierced with a spear * for the sake of the name of Christ, * thrice-blessed Demetrius * every day is a two-edged sword, * smiting the arrogance of the enemies, * and also cursing the demons’ insolence. * Let us cry out to him: * “Beneath your protection keep us who observe * your time-honored memory, O St. Demetrius.” [SD]
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
You were manifestly seen as a tower of pious belief, * firmly fixed on the rock of faith, * in temptations resolute, * and in perils unshakable. * For though the mighty flood and the surging waves * of the ungodly heavily beat on you, * yet they did not bring down * your unyielding perseverance. For you longed * to be decorated with the crown of martyrdom. [SD]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
Martyr, you have imitated Christ’s life-bearing Passion by means * of the suff’rings that you endured. * Therefore you received His grace * of performance of miracles. * And you preserve those who run to you for help; * from many dangers do you deliver them. * Noble Demetrius, * you have pleasing freedom in speaking with Christ. * You are filled with glory now as you stand close to Him. [SD]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
Dripping with your blood did you present yourself, O Martyr, to Christ * God the Giver of life who had * poured out His own precious blood * for your sake, O Demetrius. * To you He granted to share His majesty, * and to partake in His uncreated rule * as a reward; for you * valiantly contended with the cursed foe, * totally destroying his torturous instruments. [SD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
Today the worldwide festival of the Champion calls us together. Come then, all who are fond of feasts, let us radiantly celebrate his memorial, and salute him, saying: “Rejoice, you who by faith tore apart the tunic of impiety, and robed yourself in the courage of the Spirit. Rejoice, you who destroyed the purposes of the iniquitous with the strength that was given you by the only God. Rejoice, for when your limbs were pierced by the lance, you spiritually depicted for us the blessed Passion of Christ. Implore Him, O Demetrius, you ornament of Athletes, and pray that He rescue us from visible and invisible enemies, and that He save our souls.” [SD]
Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
O all-holy Lady, the help of the world and the hope of Christians, we now importune you, O good one, and we implore you, that you make your Son and Lord be gracious to us, who have sinned and are in despair. For you, O Theotokos, are able to do this, using your motherly freedom in speaking to Him. Come quickly, O immaculate one, come quickly and intervene, and deliver your people from the impending threat. In your tender mercy, despise not those who extol you. [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. Grave Mode.
You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me. [SAAS] (2)
Verse: Rescue me from my enemies, O God, and redeem me from those who rise up against me.
You are my protector, O God. Your mercy shall go before me.
The Readings
From Menaion - - -
READER
The reading is from the Prophecy of Isaiah.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Is 63:15 – 20; 64:1 – 4a, 7 – 8
Return from heaven, and look from Your holy and glorious dwelling-place. Where are Your zeal and Your strength; where is the multitude of Your mercy and Your compassion, so as to be patient with us? You are our Father, although Abraham did not know us, and Israel did not acknowledge us; but You, O Lord, are our Father. You delivered us, and from the beginning Your name was upon us. Why have you led us astray, O Lord, from Your path, and hardened our hearts so as not to fear You? Return for the sake of Your servants, for the sake of the tribes of Your inheritance, that we may inherit a small portion of Your holy mountain. For our adversaries trampled down Your sanctuary, and we have become as we were from the beginning, when You did not rule us, neither did we call upon Your name. If You open heaven, trembling shall take hold of the mountains before You, and they shall melt as wax melts before the fire. The fire shall burn up the adversaries, and the Lord’s name shall be manifest among the adversaries; and the nations shall be troubled by Your presence. When You do glorious things, trembling shall take hold of the mountains because of You. From of old we have not heard, nor have our eyes seen any God but You, and Your works which You shall do for those who wait for Your mercy. For mercy shall meet with those who do righteousness, and they shall remember Your ways. And now, O Lord, You are our Father, and all we are clay, the work of Your hands. Do not be exceedingly angry with us, and do not remember our sins in an opportune time. And now look upon us, for we are all Your people. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Prophecy of Jeremiah.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
Jer 2:1 – 12
Thus says the Lord: ‘I remember your compassion and youth and your love and maturity, so as to follow the Holy One of Israel,’ says the Lord. ‘Israel, the beginning of His harvest, was holy to the Lord. All who devour him shall transgress, and evils will come upon them,’” says the Lord. Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “What transgression have your fathers found in Me, so as to go far from Me, to follow after vain and worthless things? They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord, who led us out of the land of Egypt, who guided us in the wilderness, in an unknown and untrodden land, a land that was waterless and barren, in which no one traversed and where no son of man dwelt?’ I brought you into Carmel to eat its fruit and its good things, but you entered and defiled My land, and made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ But those who handle the law did not trust Me, and the shepherds acted profanely toward Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after unprofitable things. Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “and I will bring charges against the sons of your sons. For pass by the islands of Chettim and see. Send to Kedar and consider diligently. See if such things happened, whether nations will change their gods; though they are not gods. But My people changed their glory to a glory from which they will not profit. Heaven was amazed at this and was exceedingly horror-struck,” says the Lord. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
WSol 3:1 – 9
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torture will ever touch them. In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, and their departure was considered to be misfortune, and their passage from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in man’s view they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Though chastened in a few things, great kindness will be shown them, for God tested them and found them worthy of Himself. He tested them like gold in a furnace and accepted them as a whole burnt offering. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and they will run about like sparks through straw. They will judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful shall continue with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His elect [and He watches over His holy ones]. [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.
Litany and Blessing of Loaves.
CHOIR
Idiomelon 1.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 1.
Rejoice in the Lord, city of Thessalonica! ⁄ Be glad and join a chorus! ⁄ Robe yourself in splendor with faith, ⁄ for you have Demetrius as a treasure in your bosom! ⁄ He is the most glorious passion-bearer and witness to the truth! ⁄ Delight in his miracles, seeing the healing he accomplishes. ⁄ Behold him casting down the boldness of the enemy ⁄ and cry out in thanksgiving to the Savior: ⁄⁄ O Lord, glory to you! [OCA]
Idiomelon 2.
Mode 1.
Let us brighten this day with the beauty of hymns! ⁄ Let us proclaim the struggles of the martyr, ⁄ for the great Demetrius moves us to praise! ⁄ Having courageously put down the assaults of the demons, ⁄ he entered the stadium with zeal ⁄ and gloriously carried off the trophies of victory! ⁄⁄ He entreats the Savior that our souls may be saved! [OCA]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
Wise Demetrius, ⁄ God has blamelessly set your soul in the dwellings on high, ⁄ for you were a champion of the Trinity, ⁄ and firm as a rock, you suffered manfully in the stadium. ⁄ Pierced in your pure side, most honored one, ⁄ you imitated Him Who was pierced on the Tree ⁄ for the salvation of the whole world! ⁄ You received the gift of working miracles, ⁄ richly granting healings to all. ⁄ Therefore as we fittingly celebrate your dormition, ⁄⁄ we glorify God Who has glorified you! [OCA]
Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
What a grand mystery! I see the miracles, I proclaim the divinity, and I do not deny the humanity. For Emmanuel opened the gates of His mother’s organs, and as benevolent God He did not rupture the seals of her virginity. He came out of the womb as He had through hearing entered it. He was incarnate as He was conceived. Impassibly He entered, ineffably He came out, even as the Prophet said of old, “This gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it,” except the Lord, the God of Israel alone, who has the great mercy. [GOASD]
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 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, and the servants of God […] who are celebrating this feast.
Again we pray for the protection of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese (and this Sacred Metropolis), this city and every city and land, from wrath, famine, pestilence, earthquake, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, civil strife, and accidental death. That our good and benevolent God may be merciful, gracious, and forgiving, and may divert and disperse all anger and disease coming against us, and deliver us from His impending justified threat and have mercy on us.
Again we pray that the Lord our God may hear the prayer of us sinners, and have mercy on us.
PRIEST
Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of earth and of those far off at sea, and forgive us, O Master, forgive us our sins, and have mercy on us. 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.
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
Most merciful Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God,
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; the holy and glorious Great-martyr Demetrius, the Myrrh-streamer, whose memory we celebrate; and all Your saints:
Accept our prayer; grant us forgiveness of our transgressions; protect us under the shelter of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and adversary; grant peace to our life; Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world; and save our souls, as You are good and benevolent.
PRIEST or: CHOIR
Hymn to the Theotokos.
O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice, Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Savior of our souls. [SD]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Blessing of the Loaves.
Lord, Jesus Christ our God, who in the wilderness blessed the five loaves and from them satisfied five thousand men, we pray You bless these loaves, this wheat, wine, and oil, and multiply them in this city, and throughout Your world; and sanctify Your faithful servants who partake of them.
For You are He who blesses and sanctifies all things, Christ our God, and to You we offer up glory with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CLERGY
Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS]
CHOIR
Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. [SAAS] (2)
CHOIR
Aposticha.
From Menaion - - -
Idiomelon 1. Mode 2.
When the ground shudders with fear of Your wrath, hills and mountains are shaken, O Lord. Please look upon us with a compassionate eye, and in Your fury do not be angry with us. Please show compassion on the creation of Your hands, and free us from the frightful threat of earthquake, as You are good and You love humanity. [GOASD]
Idiomelon 2. Mode pl. 2.
Verse: You made the earth quake, and You troubled it; repair its ruins, for it was shaken. [SAAS]
Fearsome are You, O Lord, and who can withstand Your righteous wrath? Who will importune You? Who will implore You, O Good One, on behalf of people who have sinned and are desperate? The celestial orders, the Angels, Principalities, and Authorities, the Thrones and Dominions, the Cherubim and the Seraphim shout to You on our behalf, “Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord!” Please do not despise the works of Your hands, O Good One. Because of Your tender mercy, save our city which is in danger! [GOASD]
Idiomelon 3. Mode pl. 2.
Verse: He looks upon the earth and makes it tremble; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. [SAAS]
The Ninevites heard that they would be buried by an impending earthquake, because of their transgressions. Repentance brought consolation, in the sign of Jonah and the whale, pledging the resurrection. You, Lord, took pity on Your people, infants and beasts, and accepted them, when they cried to You. Likewise please spare us, who are being punished, and through Your Resurrection on the third day, have mercy on us. [GOASD]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
Your most divine and blameless soul has its dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem, whose walls have been adorned by the immaculate hands of the invisible God, O honorable Demetrius. And on earth your famous church holds your all honored and most valiant body, a secure treasure of miracles, and a protection against disease. When we come to it we receive the cures. O all praised Saint, guard the city which magnifies you from enemy assaults; for you have confidence towards Christ who glorified you. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode pl. 4.
All-blameless Virgin, who did not know man yet ineffably conceived God in the flesh, Mother of God Most High, hear our supplications when we pray to you, who provide the cleansing of offenses to all. Again we pray you, receive us who now entreat you, and implore your Son to save us all. [GOASD]
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.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 3. Your confession.
Θείας πίστεως.
All the world has you, its mighty champion, * fortifying us in times of danger, * and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. * So, as you humbled Lyaios’s arrogance * by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, * thus, O holy Great-martyr Demetrius, * to Christ our God pray fervently, * beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy. [SD]
Glory. Both now. For the Earthquake.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4.
You who look upon the earth and make it tremble, rescue us from the frightful threat of earthquake, O Christ our God. Send down Your abundant mercies on us, at the intercession of the Theotokos, O only benevolent Lord. [SD]
PRIEST: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
May the blessing and the mercy of the Lord come upon you by His divine grace and love for humankind, 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 and glorious Great-martyr Demetrius, the Myrrh-streamer, whose memory we celebrate; 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.