Books - Sources
Hieratikon
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Menaion - December 5
Memory of St. Savas the Sanctified
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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.
The Beatitudes.
Mode pl. 4.
In Your kingdom. Remember us, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [RSV]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [RSV]
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [RSV]
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [RSV]
Canon for the Devout Man.
Ode iii. Mode pl. 4. N/M (In the beginning.)
Ὁ στερεώσας κατʼ ἀρχάς.
From Menaion - - -
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [RSV]
You set your mind as master over the passions, most wealthy one, ⁄ revealing yourself to be a dispenser of justice, ⁄ for you openly subjected what is lower to what is higher. ⁄ Therefore, Father, you flourished like a palm tree in the desert. [OCA]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. [RSV]
You resolved to follow in the steps of the Master ⁄ and left your native land. ⁄ You made your dwelling in the desert, ⁄ winning a victory over the adversaries, ⁄ strengthened by the power of God! [OCA]
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [RSV]
Made strong by steadfastness of mind, most blessed one, ⁄ you denounced the various wiles of the enemy: ⁄ you unmasked them in the sight of all, ⁄ destroying his overpowering insolence, O wise one. [OCA]
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [RSV]
Theotokion.
You have been known as indeed the wonderful gate ⁄ of the dispensation of the Word Who saves us. ⁄ For you have brought forth for us, Virgin Mother, ⁄ the spiritual Ray of the all-divine Godhead. [OCA]
Canon for the Devout Man.
From Menaion - - -
Ode vi. Mode pl. 4. N/M (Be gracious to me.)
Ἱλάσθητί μοι Σωτήρ.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely [for my sake]. [RSV]
You acquired love for God and neighbor, ⁄ fulfilling the chief precepts of the Law and the prophets. ⁄ Father, you achieved the virtue that cannot be attained, ⁄ surpassing all others! [OCA]
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. [RSV]
You reached a life on earth equal to that of the angels ⁄ and Christ has given you honor equal to theirs, ⁄ sending your soul as a companion in the ranks of the holy ones. [OCA]
Glory.
You were revealed to be a child of wisdom, ⁄ for you desired the beginning of wisdom: the fear of God. ⁄ You were strengthened by that O Father, ⁄ and attained the perfection permitted to men. [OCA]
Both now. Theotokion.
Pure Lady, you gave birth to God, ⁄ the Savior and Deliverer of all Who took our flesh upon Himself. ⁄ Save those who call upon you from misfortune. [OCA]
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. For the Devout Man.
Mode pl. 4.
With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O Savas, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. [SD]
The Apolytikion of the parish church is sung. Then:
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion.
Mode 3. Automelon.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.
On this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the grotto to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God. [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
For the Devout Man.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.
The holy ones shall boast in glory. [SAAS]
Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song. [SAAS]
The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.
Gal. 5:22 – 26; 6:1 – 2
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [RSV]
Alleluia. Mode 1. Psalm 111.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 1: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord. [SAAS]
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Verse 2: His righteousness continues unto ages of ages.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Gospel
For the Devout Man.
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Mt. 11:27 – 30
The Lord said to his disciples, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [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. Psalm 111/112.
The righteous will be remembered for ever. [RSV] 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, our devout and God-bearing father Savas the Sanctified, whose memory we celebrate, 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.