Books - Sources
Menaion - December 28
Memory of the Twenty-thousand Saints burned in Nikomedia
__________
MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 4.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
Apolytikion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
Glory. For the Saints.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
O victorious Athletes of the Lord, blessed is the ground that was watered with your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits. You prevailed over the enemy in the stadium, and you openly proclaimed Christ. We pray you will earnestly entreat Him for us, that He save our souls, since He is good. [SD]
Both now.
Apolytikion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. N/M (O Life of all, You rose.)
Ἀνέστης ἐκ νεκρῶν.
Faithful, behold a strange mystery! ⁄ In His good pleasure, God is born of a woman. ⁄ The hosts of angels, amazed at His condescension, cry out and sing, for Christ the Lord is born! ⁄⁄ He is our God, Who takes delight in saving the human race! [OCA]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
Faithful, behold a strange mystery! ⁄ In His good pleasure, God is born of a woman. ⁄ The hosts of angels, amazed at His condescension, cry out and sing, for Christ the Lord is born! ⁄⁄ He is our God, Who takes delight in saving the human race! [OCA]
Kathisma II.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels.
Αὐλῶν Ποιμενικῶν.
The army of the Angels appearing silenced * the song of shepherds pipes. And the Angel uttered, * Stop in the field abiding, * O you the governors of animals. * Cry out in exaltation, * for Christ the Lord has been born today. * It is His will to save the human race, * as God, in His good pleasure. [SD]
Glory. Both now. Repeat.
The army of the Angels appearing silenced * the song of shepherds pipes. And the Angel uttered, * Stop in the field abiding, * O you the governors of animals. * Cry out in exaltation, * for Christ the Lord has been born today. * It is His will to save the human race, * as God, in His good pleasure. [SD]
READER
Psalm 50 (51).
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged. For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me. Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow. You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built; then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. [SAAS]
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion of the Feast.
Mode 3. Automelon.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.
On this day the Virgin gives * birth to the Super-essential. * To the Unapproachable, * earth is providing the grotto. * Angels sing and with the shepherds offer up glory. * Following a star the Magi are still proceeding. * He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On December 28 we commemorate the Holy 20,000 who burned in Nicomedia.
By the intercessions of Your Saints, O God, have mercy and save us. Amen.
CHOIR
Ode viii. Heirmos. Mode 1.
Τὸν τοὺς ὑμνολόγους ἐν καμίνῳ.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
In the furnace He preserved those Servants * who sang a hymn to extol Him. * He made the roaring furnace like moist whistling wind blowing through it. * Sing praises to Christ our God, and extol Him beyond measure unto all the ages. [SD]
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 1.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Heirmos. Mode 1.
Τὴν φωτοφόρον νεφέλην.
The cloud that radiates brightly * and into which, as the rain fell * upon the fleece, the Lord of all * from the heavens descended * and was incarnated for us * becoming a man, though Unoriginate, * the immaculate Mother * of our God do we all magnify in song. [SD]
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Exaposteilarion. For the Saints.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
O God-selected regiment, * all-honored company of Saints, * holy Twenty-thousand Martyrs, * pray earnestly to our Lord God * and Savior, whom the Virgin bore, * to rescue us from all distress, * who now extol and honor you, * observing your most resplendent * and illustrious memory. [SD]
For the Feast.
Mode 2. O Women, hearken.
Γυναῖκες ἀκουτίσθητε.
When God created me I had * a nobler image; but alas, * wretch that I am, I once lost it * because of my lack of self-control. * Now You, O Christ compassionate, * ineffably communed with me, * partaking of what is baser, * and making be new, O Savior, * from what You took from the Virgin. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 4.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Hide Stichologia
Stichera for the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4. To a brave one.
Ὡς γενναῖον ἐν Μάρτυσι.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
Master, wishing to demonstrate * Your abundant benevolence * and the wealth of goodness towards humanity, * You were incarnate and thus assumed * our nature; and You were born * of a Virgin in the flesh; * and You dwelt in a cave on earth, * so that You might raise * to the heights and make heavenly Your servants, who are praising and extolling * Your ineffable Nativity. [SD]
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
Master, wishing to demonstrate * Your abundant benevolence * and the wealth of goodness towards humanity, * You were incarnate and thus assumed * our nature; and You were born * of a Virgin in the flesh; * and You dwelt in a cave on earth, * so that You might raise * to the heights and make heavenly Your servants, who are praising and extolling * Your ineffable Nativity. [SD]
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
Being strengthened and fortified * and supported and reinforced * by the mighty power of God the King of all, * you, O invincible Martyr Saints, * were roundly victorious * over the arch-evil foe, * even though being human your nature was infirm. * Now you pray for the peace of all the world and for salvation of believers, * as their great helpers and advocates. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
In his words, St. Philotheos, * in his deeds St. Dorotheos, and divine Mardonios and Gorgonios, * Indus and Peter and Secundus * in martyrdom all excelled, * and rejoicing put to flight * all the hosts of the enemy. * Now they intercede * with the Lord, that He rescue from all danger those now faithfully observing * the solemn feast of their memory. [SD]
Glory. Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 1.
Incomprehensible is the mystery that is accomplished today in Bethlehem! The invisible One becomes visible; the fleshless One assumes flesh; the Logos takes substance; and the One who is becomes what He was not. A Virgin gives birth in a cave to a new baby who is the Fashioner of nature. A manger portrays a heavenly throne, and animals represent an array of Cherubim. Shepherds marvel; Magi bring gifts. Angels sing praises, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth. For Emmanuel, without changing, is well pleased to be with mankind.” [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Doxology.
Doxology (read)
HIERARCH or READER
To you belongs glory, O Lord our God, and to you we send up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
READER
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, and we thank you, for your great glory. Lord, King, Heavenly God, Father Almighty; only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Lord God, the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world. Accept our supplication, you who sit at the right of the Father, and have mercy on us. For you are the only Holy One, you are the only Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise your name forever, and unto the ages of ages. Lord, you have become for us a refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you. Lord, to you I have fled; teach me to do your will, for you are my God. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we shall see light. Extend your mercy to those who know you. Grant, O Lord, that in this day we may be kept without sin. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is your name unto the ages. Amen. Let your mercy, Lord, come upon us, just as we have hoped in you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your commandments. Blessed are you, O Master, make me understand your commandments. Blessed are you, O Holy One, enlighten me with your commandments. Lord, your mercy remains forever, do not turn away from the works of your hands. To you belongs praise, to you belongs a hymn, to you belongs glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
LITANY OF COMPLETION
DEACON
Let us complete our morning prayer to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
CHOIR (after each petition)
Grant this, O Lord.
DEACON
For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
For pardon and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
For that which is good and beneficial for our souls, and for peace for the world, let us ask the Lord.
That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
And let us ask for a Christian end to our life, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
DEACON
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST (in a low voice)
Holy Lord, who dwell in the highest and look upon the humble and observe all creation with Your all-seeing eye, to You we bow the neck of soul and body, and we pray You, Holy of holies: Extend Your invisible hand from Your holy heavens and bless us all. And as good and benevolent God, forgive us any misdeeds we committed voluntarily or involuntarily, and grant us Your blessings in this world and in the next.
PRIEST (aloud)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Aposticha of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2. N/M (O angelic powers.)
Αἱ Ἀγγελικαί.
All creation, celebrate the feast with joy! ⁄ Rejoice with us, you heavens! ⁄ The Creator is born from the Virgin in the cave; ⁄ a young Child comes in the fullness of time. ⁄ Let us cry out to Him: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our newborn God; glory to You! [OCA]
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of Your feet.” [SAAS]
Jesus, Who shone from the Father before the ages, ⁄ for us is seen today, a newborn Child. ⁄ It is His will to refashion the human race ⁄ long grown old in sin. ⁄ Let us tirelessly cry to Him in thanks: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our newborn God: glory to You! [OCA]
Verse: I have begotten You from the womb before the morning star. The Lord swore and will not repent. [SAAS]
You mountains and hills, you plains and valleys, ⁄ praise Christ, Who has come forth from the Virgin! ⁄ The star shines from heaven upon the Magi ⁄ revealing the Child in the manger ⁄ clothed in flesh as a servant. ⁄ Let us cry to Him: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our newborn God: glory to You! [OCA]
Glory.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
Never has anyone been so poor as our God, ⁄ or so rich as Adam, recreated in godliness, ⁄ the Virgin cried out as she held in her arms ⁄ Emmanuel, our God and Creator, ⁄ Who had clothed himself with flesh from her. ⁄ Let us cry to Him: ⁄⁄ Blessed are You, our newborn God: glory to You! [OCA]
Both now.
From Menaion - - -
Mode pl. 2.
He Who is King before all ages wills to be born a Child. ⁄ A Son is given to us. ⁄ Listen, you nations; give ear, O Israel! ⁄ Understand and submit yourselves! ⁄ He is with us, Who threshes and winnows the ends of the earth. ⁄⁄ The kingdom and the power shall never be taken from Him! [OCA]
PRIEST
It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth at night. [SAAS]
READER
Trisagion Prayers.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
PRIEST
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages.
CHOIR
Amen.
CHOIR
Apolytikion.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 2.
O victorious Athletes of the Lord, blessed is the ground that was watered with your blood, and holy are the dwellings that received your spirits. You prevailed over the enemy in the stadium, and you openly proclaimed Christ. We pray you will earnestly entreat Him for us, that He save our souls, since He is good. [SD]
Glory. Both now.
Apolytikion of the Feast.
From Menaion - - -
Mode 4.
Your nativity, O Christ our God, has caused the light of knowledge to rise upon the world. For therein the worshippers of the stars were by a star instructed to worship You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You as Orient from on high. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
(The “ektenia” litany has been omitted.)
PRIEST: Wisdom.
READER: Father, bless!
PRIEST
Blessed is Christ our God, the One who is, always, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
HIERARCH or READER
The Lord God make firm the holy and pure faith of the pious Orthodox Christians, together with the Holy and Great Church of Christ, our Sacred Archdiocese, [this Sacred Metropolis,] and this city, to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Then we begin the First Hour, saying: “Come let us worship…”
or:
Dismissal
PRIEST
Glory to You, O Christ our God. Glory to You.
May He who was born in a cave and lay in a manger for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-immaculate holy Mother, the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, of the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, of the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs, of our righteous and God-bearing fathers, (local patron saint); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, as He is good, benevolent, and merciful God.
Conclusion, i.e. “Through the prayers…”
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Amen.