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Μηναῖον - Τῌ Ϛʹ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ

Menaion - December 6

Μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Νικολάου

Memory of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra

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ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ

VESPERS

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is our God always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Καθʼ ὃν δὲ χρόνον ἀναγινώσκεται ὁ Προοιμιακὸς Ψαλμός, ὁ Ἱερεύς, πρὸ τῆς ἁγίας Τραπέζης ἱστάμενος, ἀναγινώσκει τὰς λεγομένας εὐχὰς τοῦ Λυχνικοῦ.

While the Introductory Psalm is being read, the Priest stands in front of the holy Table and reads the so-called Lamp-lighting Prayers.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

Come, let us worship and bow down before God our King.

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἡμῶν Θεῷ.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ God our King.

Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτῷ, Χριστῷ τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.

Come, let us worship and bow down before Him, Christ our King and God.

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τοῦ Προοιμιακοῦ Ψαλμοῦ.

Stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

Ψαλμὸς ΡΓʹ (103).

Psalm 103 (104).

Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα. Ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ μεγαλοπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω, ἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον. Ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέῤῥιν, ὁ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερῷα αὐτοῦ. Ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ, ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων. Ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς Ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα. Ὁ θεμελιῶν τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἄβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα. Ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν. Ἀναβαίνουσιν ὄρη, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά. Ὅριον ἔθου, ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γῆν. Ὁ ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀναμέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα· ποτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν. Ἐπʼ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν. Ποτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ. Ὁ ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι, καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου. Τοῦ ἱλαρῦναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει. Χορτασθήσονται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου, ἃς ἐφύτευσας. Ἐκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ κατοικία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν. Ὄρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς λαγωοῖς. Ἐποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιρούς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ, ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ. Σκύμνοι ὠρυόμενοι τοῦ ἁρπάσαι, καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς. Ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ συνήχθησαν, καὶ εἰς τὰς μάνδρας αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται. Ἐξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας. Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας, ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου. Αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος, ἐκεῖ ἑρπετὰ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός, ζῷα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων. Ἐκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος, ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῇ. Πάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτῶν εἰς εὔκαιρον, δόντος σου αὐτοῖς συλλέξουσιν. Ἀνοίξαντός σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος, ἀποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ταραχθήσονται. Ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι, καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν. Ἐξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα σου, καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς. Ἤτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. Ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων, καὶ καπνίζονται. ᾌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω. Ἡδυνθείη αὐτῷ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ. Ἐκλείποιεν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς. Εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου, τὸν Κύριον.

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.

Ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ. Ἔθου σκότος, καὶ ἐγένετο νύξ.

The sun knows its setting. You established darkness, and it was night.

Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε· πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.

O Lord, Your works shall be magnified greatly; You made all things in wisdom. [SAAS]

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός. (3)

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)

Ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν, Κύριε, δόξα σοι.

Our hope, O Lord, glory to You.

ΤΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΑ

THE PEACE LITANY

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

CHOIR (after each petition)

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν γένους, τοῦ προέδρου καὶ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν τῷ κράτει ἡμῶν, καὶ τοῦ κατὰ ξηρὰν θάλασσαν καὶ ἀέρα φιλοχρίστου ἡμῶν στρατοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our country, the president, all those in public service, and for our armed forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, τῆς Ἱερᾶς ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, [τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως ταύτης,] τῆς πόλεως καὶ κοινότητος ταύτης, πάσης πόλεως, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

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.

Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ῥυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, let us pray to the Lord.

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν, Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι πρέπει σοι πᾶσα δόξα, τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἦχος βʹ.

Mode 2.

Κύριε ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου, εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε. Κύριε, ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, εἰσάκουσόν μου· πρόσχες τῇ φωνῇ τῆς δεήσεώς μου, ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς σέ. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

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]

Κατευθυνθήτω ἡ προσευχή μου, ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου, ἔπαρσις τῶν χειρῶν μου θυσία ἑσπερινή. Εἰσάκουσόν μου, Κύριε.

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]

Δείξε Στιχολογίαν

Show Stichologia

Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, a door of enclosure about my lips.

Μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς λόγους πονηρίας, τοῦ προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις ἐν ἁμαρτίαις.

Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

Σὺν ἀνθρώποις ἐργαζομένοις τὴν ἀνομίαν, καὶ οὐ μὴ συνδυάσω μετὰ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτῶν.

With men who work lawlessness; and I will not join with their choice ones.

Παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει, καὶ ἐλέγξει με, ἔλαιον δὲ ἁμαρτωλοῦ μὴ λιπανάτω τὴν κεφαλήν μου.

The righteous man shall correct me with mercy, and he shall reprove me; but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.

Ὅτι ἔτι καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου ἐν ταῖς εὐδοκίαις αὐτῶν· κατεπόθησαν ἐχόμενα πέτρας οἱ κριταὶ αὐτῶν.

For my prayer shall be intense in the presence of their pleasures. Their judges are swallowed up by the rock.

Ἀκούσονται τὰ ῥήματά μου, ὅτι ἡδύνθησαν· ὡσεὶ πάχος γῆς ἐῤῥάγη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, διεσκορπίσθη τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὸν ᾅδην.

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.

Ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ μου· ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα, μὴ ἀντανέλῃς τὴν ψυχήν μου.

For my eyes, O Lord, O Lord, are toward You; in You I hope; take not my soul away.

Φύλαξόν με ἀπὸ παγίδος ἧς συνεστήσαντό μοι, καὶ ἀπὸ σκανδάλων τῶν ἐργαζομένων τὴν ἀνομίαν.

Keep me from the snares they set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of those who work lawlessness.

Πεσοῦνται ἐν ἀμφιβλήστρῳ αὐτῶν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοί· κατὰ μόνας εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ἕως ἂν παρέλθω.

Sinners shall fall into their own net; I am alone, until I escape.

Φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐκέκραξα, φωνῇ μου πρὸς Κύριον ἐδεήθην.

I cried to the Lord with my voice, with my voice I prayed to the Lord.

Ἐκχεῶ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὴν δέησίν μου, τὴν θλῖψίν μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἀπαγγελῶ.

I shall pour out my supplication before Him; I shall declare my affliction in His presence.

Ἐν τῷ ἐκλείπειν ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸ πνεῦμά μου, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως τὰς τρίβους μου.

When my spirit fainted within me, then You knew my paths.

Ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ, ᾗ ἐπορευόμην, ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι.

For on the way I was going, they hid a trap for me.

Κατενόουν εἰς τὰ δεξιά, καὶ ἐπέβλεπον, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιγινώσκων με.

I looked on my right, and saw there was no one who knew me.

Ἀπώλετο φυγὴ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκζητῶν τὴν ψυχήν μου.

Refuge failed me, and there was no one who cared for my soul.

Ἐκέκραξα πρὸς σέ, Κύριε· εἶπα· Σὺ εἶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου, μερίς μου εἶ ἐν γῇ ζώντων.

I cried to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.”

Πρόσχες πρὸς τὴν δέησίν μου, ὅτι ἐταπεινώθην σφόδρα.

Attend to my supplication, for I was humbled exceedingly.

Ῥῦσαί με ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με, ὅτι ἐκραταιώθησαν ὑπὲρ ἐμέ.

Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου.

Bring my soul out of prison to give thanks to Your name, O Lord.

Ἐμὲ ὑπομενοῦσι δίκαιοι, ἕως οὗ ἀνταποδῷς μοι.

The righteous shall wait for me, until You reward me.

Ἐκ βαθέων ἐκέκραξά σοι, Κύριε· Κύριε, εἰσάκουσον τῆς φωνῆς μου.

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Γενηθήτω τὰ ὦτά σου προσέχοντα εἰς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς δεήσεώς μου.

Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Κρύψε Στιχολογίαν

Hide Stichologia

Στιχηρά. Τοῦ Ἁγίου.

Stichera. For the Saint.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος βʹ. Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Mode 2. Joseph took You down.

Ὅτε ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου.

Ἐὰν ἀνομίας παρατηρήσῃς, Κύριε Κύριε, τίς ὑποστήσεται; ὅτι παρὰ σοὶ ὁ ἱλασμός ἐστιν.

If You, O Lord, should mark transgression, O Lord, who would stand? For there is forgiveness with You. [SAAS]

Μύροις, παροικήσας αἰσθητῶς, μύρον ἀληθῶς ἀνεδείχθης, μύρῳ χρισθεὶς νοητῷ Ἅγιε Νικόλαε, Ἀρχιεράρχα Χριστοῦ, καὶ μυρίζεις τὰ πρόσωπα, τῶν πίστει καὶ πόθῳ, σοῦ τὴν παναοίδιμον, μνήμην τελούντων ἀεί, λύων συμφορῶν καὶ κινδύνων, τούτους καὶ τῶν θλίψεων Πάτερ, ἐν ταῖς πρὸς τὸν Κύριον πρεσβείαις σου.

Myra, which translated means perfume, * was where you were physically dwelling, O holy prelate of Christ * Nicholas; and now anointed with the Spirit’s perfume, * you indeed have become perfume, * perfuming the faces * of the faithful who each year with longing celebrate * your all-festive memory, Father. * Rescue them, by your intercessions, * from disaster, danger, and calamity. [SD]

Ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου ὑπέμεινά σε, Κύριε, ὑπέμεινεν ἡ ψυχή μου εἰς τὸν λόγον σου. Ἤλπισεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

Because of Your law, O Lord, I waited for You; my soul waited for Your word. My soul hopes in the Lord. [SAAS]

Μύροις, παροικήσας αἰσθητῶς, μύρον ἀληθῶς ἀνεδείχθης, μύρῳ χρισθεὶς νοητῷ Ἅγιε Νικόλαε, Ἀρχιεράρχα Χριστοῦ, καὶ μυρίζεις τὰ πρόσωπα, τῶν πίστει καὶ πόθῳ, σοῦ τὴν παναοίδιμον, μνήμην τελούντων ἀεί, λύων συμφορῶν καὶ κινδύνων, τούτους καὶ τῶν θλίψεων Πάτερ, ἐν ταῖς πρὸς τὸν Κύριον πρεσβείαις σου.

Myra, which translated means perfume, * was where you were physically dwelling, O holy prelate of Christ * Nicholas; and now anointed with the Spirit’s perfume, * you indeed have become perfume, * perfuming the faces * of the faithful who each year with longing celebrate * your all-festive memory, Father. * Rescue them, by your intercessions, * from disaster, danger, and calamity. [SD]

Ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας μέχρι νυκτός· ἀπὸ φυλακῆς πρωΐας ἐλπισάτω Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.

From the morning watch until night; from the morning watch until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. [SAAS]

Νίκη, φερωνύμως ἀληθῶς, τοῦ πιστοῦ λαοῦ ἀνεδείχθης, ἐν πειρασμοῖς κραταιά, Ἅγιε Νικόλαε, θεράπων ὄντως Χριστοῦ· πανταχοῦ γὰρ καλούμενος, ὀξέως προφθάνεις, πόθῳ τοὺς προστρέχοντας, ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην σου· σὺ γὰρ ἐν νυκτὶ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ, πίστει ὀπτανόμενος σῴζεις, ἐκ τῶν πειρασμῶν καὶ περιστασεων.

You are, in accordance with your name, * for the faithful people in trouble a mighty victory, * holy father Nicholas, the loyal servant of Christ. * You are there when you are invoked * by those who with longing * turn to your protection, anytime and anywhere. * You are seen at night and in daylight * by those who have faith, and you save them * from besetting trials and adversities. [SD]

Ὅτι παρὰ τῷ Κυρίῳ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ πολλὴ παρʼ αὐτῷ λύτρωσις, καὶ αὐτὸς λυτρώσεται τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτοῦ.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his transgressions. [SAAS]

Νίκη, φερωνύμως ἀληθῶς, τοῦ πιστοῦ λαοῦ ἀνεδείχθης, ἐν πειρασμοῖς κραταιά, Ἅγιε Νικόλαε, θεράπων ὄντως Χριστοῦ· πανταχοῦ γὰρ καλούμενος, ὀξέως προφθάνεις, πόθῳ τοὺς προστρέχοντας, ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην σου· σὺ γὰρ ἐν νυκτὶ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ, πίστει ὀπτανόμενος σῴζεις, ἐκ τῶν πειρασμῶν καὶ περιστασεων.

You are, in accordance with your name, * for the faithful people in trouble a mighty victory, * holy father Nicholas, the loyal servant of Christ. * You are there when you are invoked * by those who with longing * turn to your protection, anytime and anywhere. * You are seen at night and in daylight * by those who have faith, and you save them * from besetting trials and adversities. [SD]

Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτόν, πάντες οἱ λαοί.

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; praise Him, all you peoples. [SAAS]

Ὤφθης, Κωνσταντίνῳ Βασιλεῖ, σὺν τῷ Ἀβλαβίῳ κατʼ ὄναρ, καὶ τούτους φόβῳ βαλών, οὕτως αὐτοῖς εἴρηκας. Λύσατε δὴ ἐν σπουδῇ, τῆς εἱρκτῆς οὓς κατέχετε, δεσμίους ἀδίκως, ἀθώους τυγχάνοντας, τῆς παρανόμου σφαγῆς· ὅμως ἀλλʼ ἐὰν παρακούσῃς, ἔντευξιν ποιήσομαι Ἄναξ, κατὰ σοῦ πρὸς Κύριον δεόμενος.

You appeared to Constantine the Great * and his magistrate named Ablabius in a frightening dream. * Sternly you commanded them, “Release immediately * from the dungeon the prisoners, * whom you hold unjustly; * for of the unlawful slaughter they are innocent. * But if you refuse to obey me, * I will pray intently against you * when I supplicate the Lord, O Emperor.” [SD]

Ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

For His mercy rules over us; and the truth of the Lord endures forever. [SAAS]

Μέγας, ἀντιλήπτωρ καὶ θερμός, τοῖς ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις τελοῦσιν, ὑπάρχεις ἔνδοξε, Ἅγιε Νικόλαε, Ἱεροκήρυξ Χριστοῦ, τοῖς ἐν γῇ καὶ τοῖς πλέουσι, τοῖς πόῤῥω καὶ πέλας, οἷα συμπαθέστατος, καὶ πρεσβευτὴς κραταιός· ὅθεν συνελθόντες βοῶμεν· Πρέσβευε πρὸς Κύριον ὅπως, πάσης λυτρωθῶμεν περιστάσεως.

Great and ardent guardian of all * people who are facing grave danger are you, O Nicholas, * glorious and holy hierarch and preacher of Christ. * You are known as the Patron Saint * of sailors, and also * you protect us traveling near and far by land and air. * Now we are assembled and cry out: * Pray the Lord that we be delivered * from every disaster and from accidents. [SD]

Δόξα.

Glory.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Ἱεραρχῶν τὴν καλλονήν, καὶ τῶν Πατέρων κλέος, τὴν βρύσιν τῶν θαυμάτων, καὶ τῶν πιστῶν ἀντιλήπτορα μέγιστον, συνελθόντες ὦ φιλέορτοι, ᾀσματικοῖς ἐγκωμίοις ὑμνήσωμεν λέγοντες· Χαίροις ὁ τῶν Μυρέων φρουρός, καὶ πρόεδρος σεπτός, καὶ στῦλος ἀπερίτρεπτος. Χαίροις φωστὴρ παμφαέστατε, ὁ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου πέρατα, διαλάμπων τοῖς θαύμασι. Χαίροις τῶν θλιβομένων ἡ θεία χαρμοσύνη, καὶ ἀδικουμένων θερμότατος προστάτης, καὶ νῦν παμμάκαρ Νικόλαε, μὴ παύσῃ πρεσβεύων Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, ὑπὲρ τῶν πίστει καὶ πόθῳ τιμώντων ἀεί, τὴν χαρμόσυνον καί πανέορτον μνήμην σου.

That refinement of hierarchs and the glory of the Fathers, the fountain of miracles and the greatest helper of the faithful, let us feast-lovers come together and extol with songful praises, and say to him: Rejoice, O guard and divine bishop and immovable pillar of the people of Myra. Rejoice, all-resplendent luminary, that lights up the ends of the world with miracles. Rejoice, for those in trouble you are divine joy, and most fervent protector of the injured. And now, all-blessed Nicholas, cease not interceding with Christ our God, on behalf of those who with faith and longing ever honor your joyous and all-festive memory. [SD]

Καὶ νῦν. Προεόρτιον.

Both now. For the Forefeast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Σπήλαιον εὐτρεπίζου· ἡ Ἀμνὰς γὰρ ἥκει, ἔμβρυον φέρουσα Χριστόν. Φάτνη δὲ ὑποδέχου, τὸν τῷ λόγῳ λύσαντα τῆς ἀλόγου πράξεως, ἡμᾶς τοὺς γηγενεῖς. Ποιμένες ἀγραυλοῦντες, μαρτυρεῖτε θαῦμα τὸ φρικτόν, καὶ Μάγοι ἐκ Περσίδος, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν, τῷ Βασιλεῖ προσάξατε· ὅτι ὤφθη Κύριος ἐκ Παρθένου Μητρός, ὅν περ καὶ κύψασα, δουλικῶς ἡ Μήτηρ προσεκύνησε, καὶ προσεφθέγξατο τῷ ἐν ἀγκάλαις αὐτῆς. Πῶς ἐνεσπάρης μοι, ἢ πῶς μοι ἐνεφύης, ὁ λυτρωτής μου καὶ Θεός;

Prepare yourself, O Grotto, for the Ewe is coming, carrying Christ in her womb. O Manger, receive Him who released us earthlings from irrational activity by His word. You shepherds watching by night, witness to the awesome wonder. And you Magi from Persia, offer gold and frankincense and myrrh to the King. For the Lord has appeared from a virgin Mother. And bending over Him, the Mother, as a servant, worshiped Him, and she addressed the Infant in her arms, “How were You sown in me, and how were You implanted in me, O my Redeemer and my God?” [SD]

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν Εἴσοδον.

Stand for the Entrance.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)

DEACON (in a low voice)

Τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν.

Let us pray to the Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

ΕΥΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΙΣΟΔΟΥ

ENTRANCE PRAYER

Ἑσπέρας καὶ πρωῒ καὶ μεσημβρίας αἰνοῦμεν, εὐλογοῦμεν, εὐχαριστοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθά σου, Δέσποτα τῶν ἁπάντων, φιλάνθρωπε Κύριε. Κατεύθυνον τὴν προσευχὴν ἡμῶν ὡς θυμίαμα ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ μὴ ἐκκλίνῃς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν εἰς λόγους ἢ εἰς λογισμοὺς πονηρίας, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἐκ πάντων τῶν θηρευόντων τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν· ὅτι πρὸς σέ, Κύριε, Κύριε, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἐπὶ σοὶ ἠλπίσαμεν· μὴ καταισχύνῃς ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν.

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.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Ὀρθοί.

Wisdom. Arise.

ΚΛΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΣ

CLERGY AND PEOPLE

Ἦχος βʹ.

Mode 2.

Φῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς· * διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.

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]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἑσπέρας προκείμενον.

The evening Prokeimenon!

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 2.

Ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ Κυρίου, τοῦ ποιήσαντος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν. (δίς)

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. [SAAS] (2)

Στίχ. Ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου εἰς τὰ ὄρη, ὅθεν ἥξει ἡ βοήθειά μου.

Verse: I lifted my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

Ἡ βοήθειά μου παρὰ Κυρίου, τοῦ ποιήσαντος τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Τὰ Ἀναγνώσματα

The Readings

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Παροιμιῶν τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Πρμ ιʹ 7

Pr 10:8a, 7a; 3:13 – 16, 18; 8:32, 34, 4, 12, 14, 17, 5 – 9; 22:24, 22; 15:4b

Μνήμη δικαίου μετʼ ἐγκωμίων, καὶ εὐλογία Κυρίου ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. Μακάριος ἄνθρωπος, ὃς εὗρε σοφίαν, καὶ θνητὸς ὃς εἶδε φρόνησιν. Κρεῖττον γὰρ αὐτὴν ἐμπορεύεσθαι, ἢ χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου θησαυρούς. Τιμιωτέρα δέ ἐστι λίθων πολυτελῶν· (οὐκ ἀντιτάσσεται αὐτῇ οὐδὲν πονηρόν, εὔγνωστός ἐστι πᾶσι τοῖς ἐγγίζουσιν αὐτήν). Πᾶν δὲ τίμιον, οὐκ ἄξιον αὐτῆς ἐστιν. Ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ στόματος αὐτῆς ἐκπορεύεται δικαιοσύνη. Νόμον δὲ καὶ ἔλεον ἐπὶ γλώσσης φορεῖ. Τοιγαροῦν, ἀκούσατέ μου, ὦ τέκνα· σεμνὰ γὰρ ἐρῶ καὶ μακάριος ἄνθρωπος, ὃς τὰς ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς φυλάξει. Αἱ γὰρ ἔξοδοί μου, ἔξοδοι ζωῆς, καὶ ἑτοιμάζεται θέλησις παρὰ Κυρίου. Διὰ τοῦτο παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, καὶ προΐεμαι ἐμὴν φωνὴν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων. Ὅτι ἐγὼ ἡ Σοφία κατεσκεύασα βουλὴν καὶ γνῶσιν καὶ ἒννοιαν ἐγὼ ἐπεκαλεσάμην. Ἐμὴ βουλὴ καὶ ἀσφάλεια, ἐμὴ φρόνησις, ἐμὴ δὲ ἰσχύς. Ἐγὼ τοὺς ἐμὲ φιλοῦντας ἀγαπῶ, οἱ δὲ ἐμὲ ζητοῦντες εὑρήσουσι χάριν. Νοήσατε τοίνυν ἄκακοι πανουργίαν, οἱ δὲ ἀπαίδευτοι ἔνθεσθε καρδίαν. Εἰσακούσατέ μου καὶ πάλιν· σεμνὰ γὰρ ἐρῶ, καὶ ἀνοίγω ἀπὸ χειλέων ὀρθά. Ὅτι ἀλήθειαν μελετήσει ὁ λάρυγξ μου, ἐβδελυγμένα δὲ ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ χείλη ψευδῆ. Μετὰ δικαιοσύνης πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ στόματός μου, οὐδὲν ἐν αὐτοῖς σκολιόν, οὐδὲ στραγγαλιῶδες. Πάντα εὐθέα ἐστὶ τοῖς νοοῦσι, καὶ ὀρθὰ τοῖς εὑρίσκουσι γνῶσιν. Διδάσκω γὰρ ὑμῖν ἀληθῆ, ἵνα γένηται ἐν Κυρίῳ ἡ ἐλπὶς ὑμῶν, καὶ πλησθήσεσθε Πνεύματος.

The remembrance of the righteous is with eulogies; the blessing of the Lord is upon the head of a righteous man. Blessed is a man who finds wisdom, and a mortal who sees discernment; for the profits gained from wisdom are better than the treasures of gold and silver. Wisdom is more valuable than precious stones, and nothing evil will withstand her. She is well known to all who come near her, and no honor is worthy of her. Righteousness proceeds from her mouth, and she carries law and mercy upon her tongue. Now therefore, my son, hear me: Blessed is the man who shall hearken to me and the man who shall guard my ways; for my issues are the issues of life, and grace is prepared from the Lord. You, O men, I exhort, and I utter my voice to the sons of men. I, wisdom, dwell with counsel, and I call upon knowledge and understanding. Counsel and safety are mine; discernment is mine, and strength is mine. I love those who love me, and those who seek me shall find me. Understand astuteness, O simple ones, and put it in your heart, O uninstructed ones. Obey me, for I speak sacred things, and from my lips I will bring forth things that are true. For my mouth shall speak the truth, but false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; there is nothing in them crooked or twisted. All things are evident to those who understand and true to those who find knowledge. Therefore, I teach you a true word and good knowledge to be obeyed, that you might answer words of truth to those who question you, that your hope might be in the Lord, and the one who guards it will be filled with the Spirit. [SAAS]

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Παροιμιῶν τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from the Proverbs of Solomon.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Πρμ 10, 31 – 32 and 11, 1 – 12

Pr 10:31 – 32; 11:1 – 10

Στόμα δικαίου ἀποστάζει σοφίαν, γλῶσσα δὲ ἀδίκου ἐξολεῖται· Χείλη ἀνδρῶν δικαίων ἐπίστανται χάριτας, στόμα δὲ ἀσεβῶν καταστρέφεται. Ζυγοὶ δόλιοι βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, στάθμιον δὲ δίκαιον δεκτὸν αὐτῷ. Οὗ ἐὰν εἰσέλθῃ ὕβρις, ἐκεῖ καὶ ἀτιμία, στόμα δὲ ταπεινῶν μελετᾷ σοφίαν. Τελειότης εὐθέων ὁδηγήσει αὐτούς, καὶ ὑποσκελισμὸς ἀθετούντων προνομεύσει αὐτούς. Οὐκ ὠφελήσει ὑπάρχοντα ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θυμοῦ, δικαιοσύνη δὲ ῥύσεται ἀπὸ θανάτου. Ἀποθανὼν δίκαιος ἔλιπε μετάμελον· πρόχειρος δὲ γίνεται καὶ ἐπίχαρτος ἀσεβῶν ἀπώλεια. Δικαιοσύνη ἀμώμου ὀρθοτομεῖ ὁδούς, ἀσέβεια δὲ περιπίπτει ἀδικίᾳ. Δικαιοσύνη ἀνδρῶν ὀρθῶν ῥύσεται αὐτούς, τῇ δὲ ἀβουλίᾳ ἁλίσκονται παράνομοι. Τελευτήσαντος ἀνδρὸς δικαίου οὐκ ὄλλυται ἐλπίς, τὸ δὲ καύχημα τῶν ἀσεβῶν ὄλλυται. Δίκαιος ἐκ θήρας ἐκδύνει, ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ δὲ παραδίδοται ὁ ἀσεβής. Ἐν στόματι ἀσεβῶν παγὶς πολίταις, αἴσθησις δὲ δικαίων εὔοδος. Ἐν ἀγαθοῖς δικαίων κατώρθωται πόλις, καὶ ἐν ἀπωλείᾳ ἀσεβῶν ἀγαλλίαμα. Ἐν εὐλογίᾳ εὐθέων ὑψωθήσεται πόλις, στόματι δὲ ἀσεβῶν κατασκαφήσεται. Μυκτηρίζει πολίτας ἐνδεὴς φρενῶν, ἀνὴρ δὲ φρόνιμος ἡσυχίαν ἄγει.

The mouth of a righteous man distills wisdom, but the tongue of an unrighteous man utterly destroys. The lips of righteous men distill grace, but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse. Deceitful scales are an abomination before the Lord, but a righteous weight is acceptable to Him. Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor, but the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom. When a righteous man dies, he leaves regret, but the destruction of the ungodly is immediate and brings joy. Righteousness cuts straight and blameless paths, but ungodliness embraces wrongdoing. The righteousness of upright men delivers them, but lawless men are taken to their destruction. When a righteous man dies, his hope does not perish, but the boast of the ungodly perishes. A righteous man escapes from a snare, but the ungodly man is handed over in his place. There is a snare for citizens in the mouth of the ungodly, but the perception of the righteous is prosperous. A city stays upright in the good things of the righteous, but it is razed to the ground by the mouths of the ungodly. A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt, but a man of discernment keeps quiet. [SAAS]

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Σοφίας Σολομῶντος τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα.

The reading is from the Wisdom of Solomon.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Σοφία. Πρόσχωμεν.

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Σολ 4:7 – 15

WSol 4:7 – 15

Δίκαιος ἐὰν φθάσῃ τελευτῆσαι, ἐν ἀναπαύσει ἔσται· γῆρας γὰρ τίμιον, οὐ τὸ πολυχρόνιον, οὐδὲ ἀριθμῷ ἐτῶν μεμέτρηται. Πολιὰ δέ ἐστι φρόνησις ἀνθρώποις, καὶ ἡλικία γήρως, βίος ἀκηλίδωτος. Εὐάρεστος Θεῷ γενόμενος, ἠγαπήθη, καὶ ζῶν μεταξὺ ἁμαρτωλῶν, μετετέθη. Ἡρπάγη, μὴ κακία ἀλλάξῃ σύνεσιν αὐτοῦ, ἢ δόλος ἀπατήσῃ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ. Βασκανία γὰρ φαυλότητος ἀμαυροῖ τὰ καλά, καὶ ῥεμβασμὸς ἐπιθυμίας μεταλλεύει νοῦν ἄκακον. Τελειωθεὶς ἐν ὀλίγῳ, ἐπλήρωσε χρόνους μακρούς· ἀρεστὴ γὰρ ἦν Κυρίῳ ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ· διὰ τοῦτο ἔσπευσεν ἐκ μέσου πονηρίας. Οἱ δὲ λαοὶ ἰδόντες καὶ μὴ νοήσαντες, μηδὲ θέντες ἐπὶ διανοίᾳ τὸ τοιοῦτον, ὅτι χάρις καὶ ἔλεος ἐν τοῖς ὁσίοις αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπισκοπὴ ἐν τοῖς ἐκλεκτοῖς αὐτοῦ.

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]

Η ΕΚΤΕΝΗΣ

LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Εἴπωμεν πάντες ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ἡμῶν εἴπωμεν.

Let us all say with all our soul and with all our mind, let us all say.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Κύριε παντοκράτορ, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.

Lord, Ruler of all, God of our fathers, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, δεόμεθά σου, ἐπάκουσον καὶ ἐλέησον.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and have mercy.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

CHOIR (after each petition)

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. (3)

Lord, have mercy. (3)

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν.

Again we pray for pious and Orthodox Christians.

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν (δεῖνος).

Again we pray for our Archbishop (name).

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν τῶν ἱερέων, ἱερομονάχων, διακόνων καὶ μοναχῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἡμῶν ἀδελφότητος.

Again we pray for our brethren: the priests, the hieromonks, the deacons, the monastics, and all our brotherhood in Christ.

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ ἐλέους, ζωῆς, εἰρήνης, ὑγείας, σωτηρίας, ἐπισκέψεως, συγχωρήσεως καὶ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῶν δούλων τοῦ Θεοῦ, πάντων τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν τῶν κατοικούντων καὶ παρεπιδημούντων ἐν τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ, τῶν ἐνοριτῶν, ἐπιτρόπων, συνδρομητῶν καὶ ἀφιερωτῶν τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας ταύτης.

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.

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπέρ τῶν μακαρίων καὶ ἀειμνήστων κτιτόρων τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας (ἢ τῆς ἁγίας μονῆς) ταύτης καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντων τῶν προαναπαυσαμένων πατέρων καὶ ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν, τῶν ἐνθάδε εὐσεβῶς κειμένων καὶ ἁπανταχοῦ ὀρθοδόξων.

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.

Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ τῶν καρποφορούντων καὶ καλλιεργούντων ἐν τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ πανσέπτῳ ναῷ τούτῳ, κοπιώντων, ψαλλόντων καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ περιεστῶτος λαοῦ, τοῦ ἀπεκδεχομένου τὸ παρὰ σοῦ μέγα καὶ πλούσιον ἔλεος.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι ἐλεήμων καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῆς εὐχῆς.

Stand for the reading of prayer.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

READER

Καταξίωσον, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἑσπέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀναμαρτήτους φυλαχθῆναι ἡμᾶς. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν, καὶ αἰνετὸν καὶ δεδοξασμένον τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν. Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, καθάπερ ἠλπίσαμεν ἐπὶ σέ. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Δέσποτα, συνέτισόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου. Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, ἅγιε, φώτισόν με τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου. Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου μὴ παρίδῃς. Σοὶ πρέπει αἶνος, σοὶ πρέπει ὕμνος, σοὶ δόξα πρέπει, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ( Ἀμήν. )

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. )

ΤΑ ΠΛΗΡΩΤΙΚΑ

LITANY OF COMPLETION

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Πληρώσωμεν τὴν ἑσπερινὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς, ὁ Θεός, τῇ σῇ χάριτι.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὴν ἑσπέραν πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ (μεθʼ ἑκάστην δέησιν)

CHOIR (after each petition)

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Grant this, O Lord.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

Συγγνώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τῶν πλημμελημάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.

Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν καὶ εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.

Τὸν ὑπόλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ μετανοίᾳ ἐκτελέσαι παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώδυνα, ἀνεπαίσχυντα, εἰρηνικὰ καὶ καλὴν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοβεροῦ βήματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ αἰτησώμεθα.

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.

Τῆς παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν, Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ· Εἰρήνη πᾶσι.

PRIEST: Peace be with all.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου.

CHOIR: And with your spirit.

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ

DEACON

Τὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν.

Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Σοί, Κύριε.

CHOIR: To You, O Lord.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (χαμηλοφώνως)

PRIEST (in a low voice)

Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ κλίνας οὐρανοὺς καὶ καταβὰς ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ τοῦ γένους τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἔπιδε ἐπί τοὺς δούλους σου καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν σου· σοὶ γὰρ τῷ φοβερῷ καὶ φιλανθρώπῳ κριτῇ οἱ σοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπέκλιναν τὰς κεφαλάς, τοὺς δὲ αὐτῶν ὑπέταξαν αὐχένας, οὐ τὴν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἀναμένοντες βοήθειαν, ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν περιμένοντες ἔλεος καὶ τὴν σὴν ἀπεκδεχόμενοι σωτηρίαν· οὓς διαφύλαξον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ κατὰ τὴν παροῦσαν ἑσπέραν καὶ τὴν προσιοῦσαν νύκτα ἀπὸ παντὸς ἐχθροῦ, ἀπὸ πάσης ἀντικειμένης ἐνεργείας διαβολικῆς καὶ διαλογισμῶν ματαίων καὶ ἐνθυμήσεων πονηρῶν.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (ἐκφώνως)

PRIEST (aloud)

Εἴη τὸ κράτος τῆς βασιλείας σου εὐλογημένον καὶ δεδοξασμένον, τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀπόστιχα.

Aposticha.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. αʹ. Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.

Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.

Χαίροις ἡ ἱερὰ κεφαλή, τὸ καθαρὸν τῶν ἀρετῶν καταγώγιον, ὁ θεῖος τῆς θειοτάτης, ἱερωσύνης κανών, ὁ Ποιμὴν ὁ μέγας, ὁ φανότατος, πυρσὸς ὁ τῆς νίκης, ἐπιφερόμενος ὄνομα, ὁ δεομένοις, συμπαθῶς ἐπικλώμενος· ὁ καμπτόμενος, ἀσθενῶν ταῖς δεήσεσι· ῥύστης ὁ ἑτοιμότατος, φρουρὸς ὁ σωτήριος, πᾶσι τοῖς πίστει τελοῦσι, τὴν παναοίδιμον μνήμην σου. Χριστὸν καταπέμψαι, παμμακάριστε δυσώπει, τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Rejoice, O sacred head of the Church, * the pure abode of every virtue, O Nicholas, * divine standard of the most divine * holy priesthood, and great * Shepherd of the people, and the beacon-light * that shines very brightly. You are the namesake of victory. * And on the needy you take pity with sympathy. * And unto the prayers of the sick You incline an ear. * Ready deliverer of all, * and guardian saving them * who now religiously honor your ever-ven’rable memory. * To Christ pray intently, * O all-blessed one, to send down great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Στίχ. Τίμιος ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὁ θάνατος τοῦ ὁσίου αὐτοῦ.

Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His holy one. [SAAS]

Χαίροις ὁ ἱερώτατος νοῦς, τὸ τῆς Τριάδος καθαρὸν ἐνδιαίτημα, ὁ στῦλος τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ὁ τῶν πιστῶν στηριγμός, καταπονουμένων ἡ βοήθεια, ἀστήρ, ὁ ταῖς λάμψεσιν, εὐπροσδέκτων δεήσεων, διασκεδάζων, πειρασμῶν τε καὶ θλίψεων, σκότος πάντοτε, Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε. ὅρμος ὁ γαληνότατος, ἐν ᾧ καταφεύγοντες, οἱ τρικυμίαις τοῦ βίου περιστατούμενοι σώζονται. Χριστὸν ἐκδυσώπει, ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν δοθῆναι, τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Rejoice, pure habitation wherein * the Holy Trinity made its dwelling, most sacred mind, * the Church’s unshaken pillar, and the believers’ support, * for you are the help of all who are oppressed. * O Star that at all times dispels the gloom of adversities * and of temptations by the radiance of your prayers * that are well received, holy Hierarch Nicholas, * calm haven wherein those who meet the turbulent storms of life * and are surrounded by tempests escape for refuge and hence are saved. * To Christ pray with fervor, * holy father, that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]

Στίχ. Μακάριος ἀνὴρ ὁ φοβούμενος τὸν Κύριον, ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ θελήσει σφόδρα.

Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. [SAAS]

Χαίροις ὁ ζήλου θείου πλησθείς, ἀπαγωγῆς τε πονηρὰς λυτρωσάμενος, ἀδίκως μέλλοντας θνῄσκειν, ἐπιστασίᾳ φρικτῇ, καὶ ταῖς διʼ ὀνείρων προσφοιτήσεσι. Πηγὴ ἡ πηγάζουσα, ἐν τοῖς Μύροις Νικόλαε, μύρα πλουσίως, καὶ ψυχὰς καταρδεύουσα, τὰ δυσώδη τε τῶν παθῶν ἀπελαύνουσα. Μάχαιρα τὰ ζιζάνια, τῆς πλάνης ἐκτέμνουσα. Πτύον λικμίζον Ἀρείου, τὰ ἀχυρώδη διδάγματα. Χριστὸν καταπέμψαι, ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν δυσώπει, τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Rejoice, with divine zeal being filled * you extricated from abduction by treachery, * through your awesome intervention * and your appearing in dreams, * those who had unjustly been condemned to die. * A well are you, Nicholas, * that abundantly gushes forth * myrrh oils in Myra, * and that thoroughly waters souls, * and that drives away all the stench that the passions bring. * Saber eradicating tares * of error and heresy; * Winnowing shovel that threshes the chaffy doctrines of Arius. * To Christ pray intently, * holy Father, that He send down great mercy to our souls. [SD]

Δόξα.

Glory.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Ἄνθρωπε τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ πιστὲ θεράπον, λειτουργὲ Κυρίου, ἄνερ ἐπιθυμιῶν, σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς, στῦλε καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, Βασιλείας κληρονόμε, μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς, τοῦ βοᾶν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τὸν Κύριον.

O man of God and loyal servant and minister of the Lord, man of holy desires, chosen vessel, pillar and foundation of the Church of Christ, and inheritor of the Kingdom, be not silent in calling out to the Lord on our behalf. [SD]

Καὶ νῦν. Προεόρτιον.

Both now. For the Forefeast.

Τοῦ Μηναίου - - -

From Menaion - - -

Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

Mode pl. 2.

Ἀνύμφευτε Παρθένε, πόθεν ἥκεις; τίς ὁ τεκὼν σε; τίς καὶ ἡ Μήτηρ σου; πῶς τὸν Κτίστην φέρεις ἐν ἀγκάλαις; πῶς οὐκ ἐφθάρης τὴν νηδύν, μεγάλων παραδόξων ἐπὶ γῆς τελουμένων, ὁρῶμεν Παναγία, καὶ προευτρεπίζομεν ἐπάξιόν σοι χρέος, ἐκ τῆς γῆς τὸ Σπήλαιον, καὶ οὐρανὸν αἰτοῦμεν, παρασχεῖν τὸν Ἀστέρα, καὶ Μάγοι δὲ προέρχονται, ἀπὸ Ἀνατολῶν τῆς γῆς, εἰς δυσμὰς θεάσασθαι, τὴν σωτηρίαν τῶν βροτῶν, ὡς βρέφος γαλουχούμενον.

O unwedded Virgin, where are you from? Who is your father, and who is your mother? How is it that you carry the Creator in your arms? How was your womb not impaired? Great and extraordinary and awesome mysteries we see taking place in you on earth, O All-holy Maiden, and we prepare for you, as is our duty; from the earth, we ready the Grotto; and from heaven we request that the Star be granted. Magi are coming westward from the land of the East, to see the Salvation of mortals, nursing as an infant. [SD]

Ὁ λαὸς ἵσταται διὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῶν εὐχῶν.

Stand for the reading of prayers

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

ᾨδὴν τοῦ Θεοδόχου Συμεών

Song of Simeon

Νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, Δέσποτα, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, ἐν εἰρήνῃ· ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου, ὃ ἡτοίμασας κατὰ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν λαῶν· φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν, καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου Ἰσραήλ.

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]

ΛΑΟΣ

PEOPLE

Τρισάγιον.

Trisagion Prayers.

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. (3)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Παναγία Τριάς, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Κύριε, ἱλάσθητι ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν. Δέσποτα, συγχώρησον τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῖν. Ἅγιε, ἐπίσκεψαι καὶ ἴασαι τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν, ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου.

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.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον. Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι· καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.

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.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.

Ἀπολυτίκιον. Τοῦ Ἁγίου.

Apolytikion. For the Saint.

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. You were humble and therefore you acquired exalted gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. O Father and Hierarch St. Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. [SD]

Δόξα· καὶ νῦν. Θεοτοκίον.

Glory. Both now. Theotokion.

Τῆς Ὀκτωήχου - - -

From Octoechos - - -

Ἦχος δʹ.

Mode 4.

Τὸ ἀπʼ αἰῶνος ἀπόκρυφον, καὶ Ἀγγέλοις ἄγνωστον μυστήριον, διὰ σού Θεοτόκε τοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς πεφανέρωται, Θεὸς ἐν ἀσυγχύτῳ ἑνώσει σαρκούμενος, καὶ Σταυρὸν ἑκουσίως ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν καταδεξάμενος· διʼ οὗ ἀναστήσας τὸν πρωτόπλαστον, ἔσωσεν ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

O Theotokos, revealed through you to us on earth was the mystery, that was hidden for ages and unknown by the angels. God became incarnate, uniting natures without confusion, and for us He voluntarily accepted crucifixion, through which He resurrected the first-formed man, and He saved our souls from death. [GOASD]

ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΣ· Σοφία.

DEACON: Wisdom.

ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ· Εὐλόγησον, Δέσποτα.

READER: Master, give the blessing.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Ὁ ὢν εὐλογητὸς Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΠΡΟΕΣΤΩΣ ἢ ΑΝΑΓΝΩΣΤΗΣ

HIERARCH or READER

Στερεώσαι Κύριος ὁ Θεός τὴν ἁγίαν καὶ ἀμώμητον πίστιν τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν σὺν τῇ ἁγίᾳ αὐτοῦ Μεγάλῃ Ἐκκλησίᾳ, τῇ ἱερᾷ ἡμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ, [τῇ ἱερᾷ Μητροπόλει ταύτῃ] καὶ τῇ πόλει ταύτῃ εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων.

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.

ΧΟΡΟΣ· Ἀμήν.

CHOIR: Amen.

ΙΕΡΕΥΣ

PRIEST

Δόξα σοι, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.

Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.

Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων δυνάμεων ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων ἀποστόλων, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων· τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων πατέρων ἡμῶν· (τοῦ ἁγίου τοῦ ναοῦ)· τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, τοῦ ἐν Ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Νικολάου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Μύρων τῆς Λυκίας, τοῦ θαυματουργοῦ, οὗ καὶ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν· καὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος καὶ ἐλεήμων Θεός.

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 Father among the Saints Nicholas the Wonder-worker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, whose memory we celebrate; and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.

Διʼ εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

ΧΟΡΟΣ

CHOIR

Ἀμήν.

Amen.