Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 1.
On Thursday Morning
Menaion - October 31
Memory of the Holy Apostles Stachys, Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Aristobulus, and Narcissus; and of the Holy Martyr Epimachus
__________
MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 3.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Apolytikion. For the Apostles.
Mode 3.
O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. [SD]
Glory. For the Martyr.
Mode 4.
Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4.
We have come to know that the Word of the Father, Christ our God, became incarnate from you, O Virgin Theotokos, only pure, only blessed. Therefore we never cease to extol and magnify you. [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 13. Then 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
Kathisma I.
From Octoechos - - -
For the Apostles.
Mode 1.
O wise fishermen of the civilized world, from God you received a compassionate heart, and thus you intercede on behalf of us who cry out: “Lord, save Your people and Your city, and free our souls from the woes that beset us, by the prayers of Your Apostles.” [SD]
Verse: Their proclamation went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Mode 1. The stone had been secured.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
The fishermen undid the knots of the philosophers * with the pole of the Cross and the net of the word of truth. * They enlightened the Gentiles to worship You, * the true God, and glorify You piously. * For this reason we cry out to You, who empowered Your Apostles: “Glory to the Father and the Son! * Glory to the consubstantial Spirit! * Glory to God who through those men enlightened the world.” [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1.
Without burning, you conceived the fire of Divinity, and without seed you gave birth to the Lord who is source of life. O Theotokos, full of grace, preserve us who magnify you. [SD]
The appointed Kathisma of the Psalter may be read, i.e. Kathisma 14. There is no litany, but immediately the following:
CHOIR
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
For the Apostles.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Believers, let us sing and extol Christ’s Apostles, * for they were truly wise. They were His sonorous trumpets. * Like horses they disturbed the sea of the pagan ungodliness. * As if from the deep they drew up people and placed them * in the Church of God and in the port of salvation, * by the Holy Spirit’s grace. [SD]
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows the creation of His hands.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
The Light from Light that shone pre-eternally now has * in time appeared to us on earth in physical body; * and through you, all-blessed men, He illumined the whole wide world. * Therefore we who were by your divine words and teachings * illumined sing your praise, holy Apostles, and honor * your all-sacred memory. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
O ever-virgin Maid, we believers all have you * an advocate with God; and for help and assistance * we run to your holy church and we pray to you earnestly. * Therefore save us from the wicked spite of the demons, * and deliver us from frightful final damnation, * for we ever sing your praise. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma III.
For St. Nicholas.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
You physically sojourned in the city of Myra, * and with the Spirit’s myrrh you were noetically anointed, * O Hierarch Nicholas. * By the myrrh of your miracles, * you who pour out myrrh in endless streams filled with fragrance * those who wish to sing you fragrant hymns and to honor * with fragrance your memory. [SD]
Verse: God is wondrous in His saints.
For the Martyrs.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
Let all of us beseech the holy Martyrs of Christ God. * To Him they ever pray for our salvation and safety. * So let us all go to them, and approach them with ardent faith. * They pour out the grace of cures and healings profusely. * They defeat the hosts of evil spirits and demons, * as guardians of the Faith. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
Mode 1. The soldiers keeping watch.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
O Maiden, the divine disciples and Apostles * with God-inspired teachings proclaimed to all people * your ineffable childbirth, O Theotokos all-immaculate. * And they taught us how to reverence you as is proper. * We entreat you now: With them pray for the salvation * of the faithful who honor you. [SD]
READER
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory. Both now.
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]
Kontakion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. N/M (In the pools of your blood.)
Τοῖς τῶν αἱμάτων σου.
You went to all people throughout the world, and you sowed the word of the knowledge of God. and you harvest the wheat for it yielded much; and you offered it up to the King off all, O all-renowned Apostles of Christ. [SD]
Oikos.
Let us all now extol the memory of the Apostles and solemnly call it blessed, as a day of salvation. For it shines like a sun on the entire world, and it drives away the fog with its rays of light, and it brightly shines on those who observe it with longing and honor it with faith. So, let us enthusiastically assemble and extol them and say to them, “Rescue us from every danger, O all-renowned Apostles of the Lord. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On October 31, we commemorate the holy Apostles of the Seventy: Stachys, Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus and Aristobulus.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 4.
Τὸν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Christ our God was crucified for our sake, * and He has given us the Cross as a shield for salvation. * Praise the Lord, O you servants; * exalt Him beyond measure, unto the ages. [SD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 4.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Heirmos. Mode 4.
Εὕα μὲν τῷ τῆς παρακοῆς.
Because of the malady of disobedience, Eve received the curse within herself. * But you, O Virgin Theotokos, have blossomed forth the blessing to all the world, * by means of the One who sprang from your pregnancy. * And therefore you do we all magnify. [SD]
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Exaposteilarion of the Day. For the Apostles.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 3. Having embellished heaven.
Ὁ οὐρανὸν τοῖς ἄστροις.
O Apostles of the Master, * by your preaching of the Gospel, * from the ocean of deception * you drew the whole world to the light. * Cease not in your intercessions * on our behalf with the Savior. [SD]
For the Apostles.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
Apelles, Stachys, Amplias, * Narcissus, Aristobulus, * and Urban, the God-inspired * and glorious luminaries, * Apostles of our Savior Christ, * be festively extolled today * by us as we are duty-bound. * They intercede on our behalf, * as we celebrate their sacred * memory with love and longing. [SD]
Theotokion.
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
All-lauded one, watch over us, * the people you inherited. * We pray you guard and protect us * by your invincible power. * Strengthen and guide our government * officials and enlighten them. * And calm the nations everywhere, * and pour out God’s peace and mercy * on all the world, Theotokos. [SD]
READER
Lauds. (read)
Psalm 148.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name, for He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps, Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word, mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted; His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people, a hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him. [SAAS]
Psalm 149.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones. Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him; for the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation. The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds; the high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples, to shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to fulfill among them the written judgment: This glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]
Psalm 150.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre; praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute; praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia. [SAAS]
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Stand for the reading of the Doxology.
Doxology (read)
HIERARCH or READER
To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our morning 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 day 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 the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to 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)
Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.
PRIEST (aloud)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Aposticha of the Octoechos.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 1.
The most melodious harp of the Apostles, set in motion by the Holy Spirit, abolished the rites of the odious demons; and by preaching faith in the only Lord, it redeemed the nations from the delusion of the idols, and taught them to worship the consubstantial Trinity. [SD]
Verse: We were filled with Your mercy in the morning, and in all our days we greatly rejoiced and were glad; gladden us in return for the days You humbled us, for the years we saw evil things. And behold Your servants and Your works, and guide their sons. [SAAS]
For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Let us with one voice together extol Saints Peter and Paul * with Luke and Mark and Matthew, * John and Andrew and Thomas, * Iakovos and Philip, Bartholomew, * also Simon and Thaddaeus; * and let us worthily praise the entire choir * of divinely called Disciples of Christ. [SD]
Verse: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the works of our hands. [SAAS]
Greatly rejoice in the Lord, O Martyrs, for you fought the good fight, you stood up to emperors, and you were victorious over tyrants. You were not frightened by fire and sword. As wild beasts devoured your bodies, and you joined the Angels in sending up your hymns of praise to Christ, from heaven you received the crowns. Pray now that peace be granted to the world and great mercy to our souls. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
For all the powers of heaven.
Τῶν οὐρανίων ταγμάτων.
Using the words of the Prophets, we allegorically * extol the holy Virgin, and we reverently call her: * manna jar of gold, unconsumed burning bush, * golden lamp-stand that held the lamp, * ark of the holiness, unquarried mountain, throne, * holy table, and the gate of God. [SD]
PRIEST
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]
READER
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.
CHOIR
Apolytikion. For the Apostles.
Mode 3.
O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. [SD]
Glory. For the Martyr.
Mode 4.
Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls. [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 4.
We are unequipped to praise you worthily, O Theotokos, for you are the highest of all things created. Therefore, we entreat you: As a gift to us, have mercy on us. [SD]
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
PRIEST: Wisdom.
READER: Father, bless!
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.
Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”
or:
Dismissal
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 of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Amen.