Books - Sources
Hieratikon
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Menaion - November 23
Memory of our Fathers among the Saints Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium, and Gregory of Agrigentum
__________
LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
An optional alternative to the Antiphons are the Typika (Psalms 102 and 145), and the Beatitudes with the appointed troparia, which are provided here.
Psalm 102.
Psalm 145.
Canon 2 of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Ode iii. Mode 1. Firmly established be my hear.
Στερεωθήτω ἡ καρδία μου.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]
Let us who love the feasts now celebrate; * let us all in spirit sing hymns of praise * as we exult and raise our song for the holy feast on this day * to the Daughter of our King and Lord; * the Mother of our one God. [RB]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]
Today, O Joachim, be overjoyed; * Anna, in your spirit be radiant, * for to the Lord you offer Mary, your daughter, but three years old, * as a pure victim for sacrifice, * all-holy and all-blameless. [RB]
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]
The Theotokos Mary, the Dwelling-place of God, ⁄ three years old according to the flesh, ⁄ is offered in the holy Temple, ⁄ and the virgins, her companions, ⁄ go before her with lamps in their hands. [OCA]
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]
The spotless ewe lamb of God, ⁄ the dove without blemish, ⁄ the tabernacle that is to hold God, ⁄ the sanctuary of glory, ⁄ has chosen to dwell in the holy Temple. [OCA]
Canon 2 of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Ode vi. Mode 1.
Τὸν Προφήτην Ἰωνᾶν.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]
Come, o faithful, let us keep the pure Virgin’s holy feast * spirits lifted high, and singing her praises faithfully, for she truly * is well and truly holier than heav’n’s ranks. [RB]
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]
With our voices, let us praise the pure Mother of the Light; * let us sing our odes and hymns for today to us she is made manifest * while ent’ring into the holy Temple of God. [RB]
Glory. For the Trinity.
Holy Father, Son, and Spirit of righteousness divine, * perfect Unity in three persons; Trinity and undivided still, * God, show your mercy to those who worship your pow’r. [RB]
Both now. Theotokion.
He whom nothing can contain was contained in your pure womb, * undefiled and spotless Mother of God, from whom he has come forth in flesh. * Your Son is dual in nature, both God and man. [RB]
Entrance Hymn. Mode 2.
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, who are wondrous in the saints. We sing to You, Alleluia.
Hymns after the Entrance.
Apolytikion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.” [SD]
For the Saints.
Mode 4.
O God of our Fathers, since You always deal with us in accordance with Your gentleness, do not withdraw Your mercy from us, but at their fervent entreaties, pilot our life in peace. [SD]
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion.
Mode 4. You who were lifted.
Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.
The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. [SD]
Trisagios Hymn
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.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
The Epistle
Saturday of the 22nd Week
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2. Psalm 31.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice greatly. [SAAS]
Verse: Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [SAAS]
The reading is from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.
2 Cor. 5:1 – 10
Brethren, we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. [RSV]
Alleluia. Mode pl. 2. Psalms 64, 101.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 1: Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. [SAAS]
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 2: And their memorial abides from generation to generation.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Gospel
Saturday of the 10th Week of Luke
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Lk. 10:19 – 21
The Lord said to his disciples, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing before you.” [RSV]
Hymn to the Theotokos.
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.
Communion Hymn. Psalms 64, 101.
Blessed are they whom You have chosen and received, O Lord. Their memorial abides from generation to generation. [SAAS] Alleluia.
Hymn after Holy Communion.
Mode 2.
We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.
DISMISSAL
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.
Fasting Rule
Fish: fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.
It is the Christmas fast.