Books - Sources
Menaion Supplement - December 2
Memory of Devout St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia
__________
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.
There is no reading of an additional Kathisma from the Psalter.
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 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 Devout Man.
Menaion Supplement - - -
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]
O you lovers of feasts in Greece, * godly-minded throughout the world, * let us come together today and all extol * truly divine St. Porphyrios, * who lived an angelic life. * He was shown to be indeed * a true prophet, who being rich * in the Spirit’s grace * humbly served all and thus became a mystic of the Trinity, and rightly * the pride and joy of the Orthodox. [SD]
Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]
In the bloom of your youth you went * to Mt. Athos and blossomed there * like a fragrant flower. And thus your fragrant words * in their simplicity brought great joy * to many. And with divine * gentleness you pacified * troubled souls, and you guided them * to the quiet port * of the one holy Church of Christ, the Savior, where indeed there is salvation * and the enjoyment of Paradise. [SD]
From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]
Out of Evia you shone forth * like a luminous star, O Saint, * shining on the whole earth, and giving light to all * with brilliant rays of the gifts of grace * and all of that splendid glow * of the holy life you led, * O Porphyrios, pride and joy * of monastic saints. * You became the embodiment of love, for all the model of forgiveness, * patient endurance and simplicity. [SD]
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]
O devout St. Porphyrios, * from a young age you loved the Lord, * and you served His Church with profound humility. * And to the sick and infirm you gave miraculous remedies. * The all-holy Spirit’s gifts * of discernment and second sight * were given to you, * and the grace to foresee events unfolding in the world before they happened, * which are to us imperceptible. [SD]
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]
You descended into the depth * of the Savior’s humility, * and you were exalted to the ineffable * secrets of Christ’s divine mysteries. * In these, O Porphyrios, * you delighted, and you saw * things to come, being thunderstruck * like St. John of old * was on Patmos, beholding revelations by the Spirit’s lumination, * O most devout holy priest of God. [SD]
For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]
Having put on the porphyrous * robe of virtue, Porphyrios, * you now stand completely illumined in the choir * of holy angels, among your peers. * You join them and joyfully * praise the glory of the Tri- * solar Godhead, in heaven and * sing angelic hymns. * And you fervently pray to Christ in earnest, * that He give the joy and blessing * of true repentance to everyone. [SD]
Glory.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode pl. 2.
Today, rising like a star that is visible to all, is the all-venerable memory of devout St. Porphyrios, and it brilliantly shines on the Church of believers. Come now, Christians everywhere, let us honor him with sacred hymns of praise, and salute him and say: “Rejoice, for your contest was laborious, and you were victorious, like the devout ascetics of old. Rejoice, for even in the flesh you served God like an angel, covered as you were in the robe of humility. Rejoice, O splendid temple of purity and goodness. You sought to know God, and you were initiated into divine mysteries. So now, intercede with the Lord, for us who gratefully honor and extol your memory.” [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode pl. 2.
Who can not call you blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who can not extol your extraordinary childbirth? The Only-begotten Son, who timelessly shone forth from the Father, ineffably became incarnate and was born from you, O pure one. Being divine by nature, for us He became human by nature, not divided into two persons, but acknowledged in two natures without confusion. To Him pray fervently, O noble and all-blessed Lady, and implore Him to have mercy on our souls. [GOASD]
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. 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.
The Readings
Menaion Supplement - - -
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]
READER
The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
WSol 5:15 – 6:3
The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; and their care is by the Most High. Therefore they shall receive a kingly dwelling of dignity and a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord, because He will shelter them with His right hand and protect them with His arm. He will take His zeal as His full armor and will turn His creation into weapons against His enemies. He will wear righteousness as a breastplate and put on impartial judgment as a helmet. He will take holiness as an unconquerable shield and sharpen His relentless wrath for a sword; and creation will fight with Him against the senseless. Well-aimed flashes of lightning will strike and leap to their object as from a well-drawn bow of clouds; and hailstones full of anger will be hurled as from an engine of war. The water of the sea will be vexed with them, and the rivers will wash over them severely. A powerful wind will oppose them, and like a storm it will winnow them away. Lawlessness will lay waste all the earth, and wrongdoing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations. For power was given to you from the Lord, and your lordship from the Most High. [SAAS]
READER
The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.
DEACON
Wisdom. Let us be attentive.
READER
WSol 4:7 – 15
Though a righteous man may die before his time, he shall be at rest. For old age is not honored for its length of existence, nor measured by its number of years; but discernment is gray hair for mankind, and a spotless life is the maturity of old age. There was once a man pleasing to God and loved by Him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or deceit deceive his soul. For envy arising from lack of judgment obscures what is good, and a whirling of desire undermines an innocent heart. He was made perfect, for in a short time he fulfilled long years, for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore, He took him early from the midst of evil. Yet peoples saw this but did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that the Lord’s grace and mercy are with His elect and that 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.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode 1.
O devout Porphyrios, the nuns of your convent say to you: “Holy father, employ the great confidence that you have toward Christ our God, since you loved Him with all your soul from childhood, and with ascetic discipline like a lamp you burned with love for Him. And like a guardian angel of this Convent, which you built with much sweat and labor, guard it from enemies and from danger. Also guard us, the nuns who live the ascetic life here, and preserve us in love and patience, so that we may be one, according to your wish, as you prayed before your repose on Athos. O father, remember how you lived here on earth, and grant that we your children may inherit your virtues, as well as your blessed end, so that we may ever magnify you, our protector and benefactor.” [SD]
Idiomelon 2.
Mode 2.
Illustrious in your devout way of life, you became an example of deeds pleasing to God, and indeed a model for monastics, O devout father. You had striven for Christ, and therefore you were granted the divine crown. You lifted your mind to a noetic height, and you became a contemplative mystic and a fellow citizen of angels. You were shown to be a divine eye, and with second sight you disclosed all the secrets to people, which amazed everyone, and for which they marveled at your grace and virtue. And now we pray you, O father, most wise Porphyrios, intercede on behalf of us who honor you. [SD]
Idiomelon 3.
Mode 3.
When you were thoroughly mystically illumined by the radiance of the Spirit, you became a truthful prophet of divine concepts. With zeal you exceeded all others in ascetic feats, and you attained a height of virtue, which is hard to climb. You received many gifts of grace by the Spirit, and by miracles you give many gifts to those in need. You teach all by your way of life, and you invite everyone to repentance. And now we pray you, O father devout and compassionate, entreat the Lord to save the souls of us who count on your confident prayers. [SD]
Idiomelon 4.
Mode 4.
O wise father, who could ever relate and extol with words the triumph and the divine glory, that you received as reward for your ascetic struggles, O thrice blessed Saint? For these we all honor you, we who have reaped the benefits of your grace, and who have many times received your help, O famous Porphyrios. Now, as you are rejoicing in heaven, intercede with Christ God, on behalf of our souls. [SD]
Glory.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Idiomelon. Mode 2.
Like the deer that longs for the springs of water, you hastened at a young age to the spiritual springs of the Athonite wilderness. When your heart was filled with that living water, you poured out the joy of grace to other people. You received heavenly gifts, for exercising obedience and humility, and you were shown to be a temple of the Spirit. Now, we pray you to implore Christ for us, who faithfully celebrate your most festive memory. [SD]
Both now.
Mode 2.
O Mother of God, I have committed my every hope wholly unto you. Keep me under your shelter. [SD]
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, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, 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; and our devout and God-bearing father Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia, 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.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.
Rejoice, beauty and fineness of monks, * the sacred dignity of priests, known throughout the world; * the Church’s distinguished glory, the highly purified mind, * mystic of dispassion irreproachable; * the model of gentleness, the cocoon of humility, * a manic lover of unceasing noetic prayer, * and a marvelous emulation of holiness; * flower that blooms in Paradise, and white rose of chastity, * emitting spiritual fragrance to Christ’s Church, O Porphyrios. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to the world. [SD]
Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]
Rejoice, veteran priest of the Church, * most sacred offspring of the island of Evia, * the fountain of love and mercy and of forgiveness to all, * and most holy dwelling of the Paraclete; * the star that with miracles shines its light over all the earth; * unerring guide that leads the errant back to the Lord; * golden eagle soaring to heights of prophetic sight; * lamp that most radiantly shines the light of divinity, * showing us heavenly secrets, revealing spiritual mysteries. * To Christ pray in earnest, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to the world. [SD]
Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. [SAAS]
You were devoted wholly to Christ, * as an ascetic on Mt. Athos from childhood, * becoming a peer of angels; and while residing on earth * you became a dwelling of the Paraclete. * You fought the demonic hosts, neutralizing their brash assaults. * You cured diseases of all kinds, for you had become * an expert physician by grace, O Porphyrios. * Living embodiment of Christ, * a heavenly man were you, * truly an ocean of pity, a place of refuge for sinners all. * O father, implore Christ, * and entreat Him that great mercy be granted to the world. [SD]
Glory.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode pl. 2.
To that fineness and beauty of devout saints, the glory of ascetics, and the fountain of miracles; to that man who was unsleeping in his prayer to Christ, let us sing hymns of praise, as we congregate today, O fans of feast days, and let us salute him and say to him: “Rejoice, for you are the rule and the most precise guide of life, for those who practice ascetic discipline, living in the world. Rejoice, most brilliant star, that illumines the entire earth, with the radiance of virtue. Rejoice, for you are the calm harbor, for those who are beset by the storms of life, and guardian and father for all who are orphaned. Therefore now, O Porphyrios, will you unceasingly implore Christ our God, for this flock of yours, and for all of us, who honor your venerable repose.” [SD]
Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode pl. 2.
My Creator and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, clothed himself in me and was born from your womb, and He freed Adam from the ancient curse. And now, O all-pure one, we address you as the truly virgin Mother of God, and unceasingly we sing to you the Angel’s salutation: O Lady, Rejoice! You are our defense and protection and salvation of our souls. [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.
Menaion Supplement - - -
Mode 1. As a citizen of the desert.
Τῆς ἐρήμου πολίτης.
That offspring of Evia and Elder of all of Greece, * the mystic of theology and genuine friend of Christ, * Porphyrios, was filled with gifts of grace * from childhood. So let us honor him. * He delivers those oppressed by demons, he cures the sick who shout with faith and gratitude: * “Glory to Him who gave you His might; * glory to Him who sanctified you; * glory to Him who through you is working cures for all.” [SD]
Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
When Gabriel had said to you, “Rejoice!” blessed Virgin, * and you had voiced your assent, the Lord of all became incarnate * in you, who became the holy Ark, * as righteous King David said of old. * You carried your Creator, and thus your womb was wider than the heavens. * Glory to Him who dwelt inside of you! * Glory to Him who came forth from You! * Glory to Him who through your childbirth has set us free! [GOASD]
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, and our devout and God-bearing father Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia, 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.