THE GENERAL MENAION
OR
BOOK OF SERVICES
COMMON TO THE
FESTIVALS OF OUR LORD JESUS
OF THE HOLY VIRGIN
AND OF
DIFFERENT ORDERS OF SAINTS
TRANSLATED
FROM THE SLAVONIAN SIXTEENTH EDITION OF 1862
PRINTED IN MOSCOW AND PUBLISHED BY
THE MOST HOLY GOVERNING SYNOD OF RUSSIA
AMS PRESS
NEW YORK
iiThe Library of Congress cataloged this title as follows:
Orthodox Eastern Church. Liturgy and ritual. Menaion. English.
The general Menaion; or, The book of services common to the festivals of our Lord Jesus of the Holy Virgin and of the different orders of saints. Translated from the Slavonian 16th ed. of 1862 [by N. Orloff] New York, AMS Press [1969]
Reprint of the 1899 ed.
1. Orloff, Nicolas, tr. 11. Title.
BX375.M37A38 1969
Reprinted from the edition of 1899, London.
First AMS edition published in 1969.
AMS PRESS, INC.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
iii
TO
THEIR EMINENCES
THE RIGHT REVEREND NICHOLAS
NOW LORD BISHOP OF TAURIDA SYMPHEROPOL,
late of Aleut and Alaska, and
THE RIGHT REVEREND TIKHON,
PRESENT LORD BISHOP OF ALEUT AND ALASKA,
WHOSE FATHERLY SOLICITUDE, FOR THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF
THE FLOCK OF THIS UNIQUELY EXTENDED DIOCESE, MOVED
THE FIRST TO SUGGEST THE TRANSLATION. AND THE
SECOND TO CALL HIS BLESSING UPON THE WORK,
IS
THIS BOOK
IN A BOLD, BUT HEARTFELT AND PRAYERFUL TRUST OF FURTHERING
UNDER GOD, A GOOD CAUSE,
Most gratefully and humbly Dedicated
BY
PROFESSOR N. ORLOFF.
THE TRANSLATOR.
The Feast of SS. Peter and Paul.
29th June/11th July 1899.
King's College
LONDON, W.C.
PREFACE.
THE Orthodox Eastern Church undoubtedly possesses the most abundant hymnology for her services. Special entire services date their origin as far back as the fourth if not the third century. But the greatest impetus to their production was given by the sweet melodies of St. John of Damascus (a substantial part of the Octoechos). The rich harvest of about two centuries' work appears in the shape of 12 books, one Menaion for each month, with at least one service for every day. At the time when everything had to be copied by hand, such a wealth could of course be found in large monasteries only; almost from the beginning therefore a want was felt and supplied later on by a book, of which the translation is now offered and which had and has to be used, even where the Menaia are found, in cases e.g. of the newly canonized saints until special services are composed in their honour.
The present editions of the Greek Anthologion and of the Menaian, under the title Anonymoi, viz., in those parts which exactly correspond to the Slavonic General Menaion, contain only the Stichera for "0 Lord, I have cried," and the Canons; but the style, the disposition of the words in sentences, even the language itself, do not leave the slightest doubt in the translator's mind that the fuller Slavonian Book is only a translation from Greek manuscripts, not an independent composition. The absence of the originals has made the translator's work doubly more difficult and anxious, on account of mostly fruitless search, only occasionally rewarded with a Sticheron here and Troparion there; but he sincerely trusts that the present work is also free from such blunders as those made by an English translator of other Liturgical Books, who, a formidable List of Books supposed to have been consulted notwithstanding, had e. g. empowered an arch-priest to ordain, called a scribe a martyr whose countenance and body was branded with hot iron, and dwindled down the number of martyrs from twenty thousand to a mere bagatelle of two thousand (not knowing the Slavonian word "tma" = 10,000).
v
THE CONTENTS
of
THE GENERAL MENAION.
|
CHAPTER. |
PAGE. |
CHAPTER I.
GENERAL SERVICE FOR THE FESTIVALS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AS WELL AS PREPARATIONS THERETO AND OCTAVES THEREOF.
At the Vespers, for O Lord, I have cried, the Stichera, Tone 6. Similar to: O Lord, the grave of Lazarus...
Thou, O Lord, that dost fill up every thing with Thy Divinity and through Thy clemency hast united Thyself unto men, one of the two natures being invisible,--hast become visible after Thy coming out of the pure one and dost shew the image of Thy bodily form in Thy (name of the event) ; thereunto having come we adore Thee, O Master, and knowing Thee as the Maker, we pray: Blessed art Thou, O Saviour, have mercy upon us. Twice.
O Lord, the incomprehensible mystery of Thine economy which was forecast from the beginning, Thou dost in Thy coming make known and in assurance thereof hast Thou shewn unto the world Thy divine (name of the event); Thou hast filled everything with joy and renewed afresh the nature of man, desiring to save him: Blessed art Thou, O God, have mercy upon us. Twice.
O Lord, most glorious is the condescension of Thy compassion! Dwelling on high in the bosom of the Father as indescribable and incomprehensible, on Thy coming to the earth-born Thou wast seen now; wherefore we honour Thy festival (name of the event), that Thou mayest deliver us from passions who on account of it honour Thee, the Master, that hast revivified us from death through sins. Blessed art Thou, O Saviour, have mercy upon us. Twice.
O Lord, Thou didst become incarnate as Thou desiredst, having been pleased to show both our indigence and abundance of Thy 2compassion, whereby Thou hast deified me--the earth. We glorify Thee, O Lover of man, seeing the example of Thine economy in Thy (name of the event). Do grant therewithal unhindered entry into Eden unto Thy servants, overlooking all their sins. Twice.
Glory...Both now... Tone 8:
O Master, Lover of man! Great is the depth of Thine economy; from generation to generation dost Thou benefit Thy creation; without forsaking the bosom of the Father, as man in the flesh didst Thou appear on earth and hast come calling all to repentance. As the King and God we adore Thee, since Thou destroyest our enemies and savest Thine endurable people who celebrate Thy honoured (name of the event.) The Prokeimenon of the day.
The Reading from the Book of Exodus (20, 12-18).
The Lord said unto Moses: Come up to Me into the mount and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them. And Moses and his minister Joshua rose up and went up into the mount of God, and Moses said unto the elders: Tarry ye here for us until we come again unto you; and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And the seventh day the Lord called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud and gat him up into the mount; and was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
The Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy. (4, 1. 6-15).
Moses said unto the people: Now hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you for to do them, that ye may live. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the3nations, which shall hear all these statutes and say: surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for. And now take heed to yourselves, all ye the house of Israel, and keep your souls diligently, lest ye forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your hearts all the days of your life. But teach them your sons and your sons' sons, specially the day that ye stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me: Gather me the people together and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. .And ye came near and stood under the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds and thick darkness. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude, only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform. Aid the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments that ye might do them in the land. The Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire.
The Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy (5, 1-7. 9. 10. 23-26. 28; 6, 1. 2. 4. 5. 13. 18).
Moses called all Israel, and said unto them: Hear, O Israel the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them and keep and do them: The Lord God made a covenant with you in Horeb, not with your fathers alone did the Lord make His covenant, but with you also. The Lord talked face to face in Horeb out of the midst of the fire, and I stood between the Lord and you at that time to declare unto you the words of the Lord saying: I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; there are no others gods beside Me, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments. And it came to pass when ye heard the voice out of the midst of fire, and the mountain did burn with fire, that ye all came near unto me,4and ye said: Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us His glory, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God doth talk with man and he liveth. Now, why should we die? for this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the Lord speaking out of the midst of the fire, and liveth? And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spoke unto me, and I said unto you all the commandments, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord commanded you that ye might fear all His statutes, that He may be merciful unto you and that ye may increase in the land. Hear, Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy thought, with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy might; thou shalt fear Him and serve Him alone, cleave unto Him, thou shalt swear by His name and shalt do that which is good in His sight, that it may be well with thee.
With the Versicles, the Stichera, Tone 2. Similar to: O house of Ophrah...
The illumination hath come; the grace appeared and the deliverance arrived, the world hath been enlightened; be filled with joy, O ye people.
The Verse : God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. O sing ye, the kindreds of the nations, sending up praise and glory unto Christ the God, diligently hosting and glorifying Thy (name of the event)
The Verse: O Lord, I heard Thy speech and feared. The word of God by Whom all things were made, the Impassive and Ineffable, in one Hypostasis, but in two natures, hath come to save humanity.
Glory...Both now...Tone 8 : O Lord; desiring to fulfil what Thou host ordained from the beginning, Thou halt selected from among all Thy creatures ministers of Thy mystery: from angels -- Gabriel, from man --the Virgin, from heavens -- the star, from earth --the mountain, from wilderness -- the manger, from waters -- the Jordan in which Thou hast destroyed the impious deeds of5all; O our Saviour, glory to Thee. The Troparion of the Festival, but if there be none, say the general Troparion, Tone 2: Thine undefiled Icon we adore...
At the Matins, for God is the Lord, the same Troparion thrice.
After the 1 st Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 1. Similar to: Thy sepulchre...
Thy grace hath been poured upon us, O Saviour, when Thou, Incomprehensible One, becamest visible, and the darkness of illusion hath disappeared. Wherefore do Thou set our steps in the light of Thy countenance, so that, walking in accordance with Thy commandments, we may be made worthy to see Thee, the Light unapproachable. [Glory ...Both now ...the same.
After the 2nd Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 5. Similar to: The Co-unoriginate...
The Co-unoriginate Son of the Father and Ever-existing, Invisible in Thy nature and Intactable, having come under the conditions of time, Thou hast, through Thine ineffable goodness, left us, O Master, of Thy circumscribed body the sweet image in (name of the event) for the salvation of our souls. Glory ...Both now ...the same.
The Refrain (Magnificat) of the Festival.
After the Polyleon, the Cathisma, Tone 4. Similar to: Thou that hast ascended...
There is no longer lamentation in the countenance of Adam, since Adam was put on by His Maker, Who appeareth unto all in the likeness of Adam's countenance and moveth the communities of the pious unto love that they may with one voice hymn: Glory, O Master, Lover of man, to Thine extreme condescension.
Glory ...Both now...the Graduals, the 1st Antiphon of the
4th Tone. The Prokeimenon:
Lord, we shall walk in the light of Thy countenance, and in Thy name shall we rejoice unto the ages. The Verse : All the 6ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. The Gospel of the Festival that happeneth to be. After the 50th Psalm, the Sticheron, Tone 8. O Lord, desiring to fulfil.. . (see Glory...with the Versicles).
The Canon, Tone 4. The Heirmoi twice and the Troparia in 12.
Ode 1. The Heirmos :
Unto Him that of old hath instructed Israel running away from Pharaoh's bondage, and hath fed them in the wilderness, unto our God, the Deliverer, let us sing; for He is glorified.
On the day set apart for our festival let us, O people, open our mouths and expound with our tongues the divine manifestation of Christ our God in (name of the event) cheerfully singing: For He is glorified.
The Light Ever-existing, carrying out the words of the Father and desiring to shew His grace, hath taken the form of a servant for our sake and manifested Himself in the manner of His divine (name of the event), highly illumining us with light.
O come ye all, let us in faith celebrate Christ's (name of the event), and intelligently offering the divine melody, let us glorify Him and vociferate harmoniously: Christ is come unto the restoration of the darkened. Let us sing unto Him, for He is glorified. [The Theotokion :
This day's manifestation of the birth of the God incarnate we have truly learned through thee, O all-pure one, and honouring thee were accounted worthy to behold (name of the event) of thy Son; Whom supplicate to save us from every danger.
For the Catabasia either the Heirmoi of the Festival or the following :
Covered with divine darkness, the one slow of speech hath proclaimed the God-written law, for, having thrown the mire off his mental eye, he doth see the Existing One and acquireth knowledge of the Spirit, praising with divine songs.
Ode 3. The Heirmos:
Neither in wisdom, nor in power and riches we glory, but in Thee,O Christ, the Hypostatic Wisdom of the Father, for there is no one moreholy than Thou art, O Lover of man.
Master by nature, Thou, O Christ, didst unite Thyself unto7Thy servants and becamest visible, working for us various forms of salvation which we now glorify in Thy (name of the event), for there is no one more holy than Thou art, O Lover of man.
Thy people, O Christ, who are enlightened by the faith in Thee, brightly celebrate Thy divine festival (name of the event); honouring which we get delivered from dangers; vouchsafe unto us, O Saviour, the Kingdom of heaven also.
O Life Hypostatical ! Having now tasted of death in the flesh and thereby made life to flow unto the dead, Thou hast, O Christ, granted us as meditator of life Thine awaking and Thy (name of the event). [The Theotokion
The salvation hath before shone forth in the flesh out of thee in the world, and now unto the faithful through thee, O God's Mother, the life appeared in Christ's light-bearing (name of the event) ; for the sake thereof do, O Theotokos, supplicate thy Son to deliver us from dangers and from everlasting torments.
The Catabasia : The fetters of the childless womb, and the unbearable insults from a fruitful foe have of old been done away with in the case of Anna the prophetess solely by her prayer, brought with an afflicted spirit unto the Mighty One and God of wisdom.
The Cathisma, Tone 4. Similar to: Thou that wast
lifted up on the cross...
We implore Thee, O Master and Merciful Saviour, to deliver from all enemies both visible and invisible, from incursions of other nations and from all manner of dangers and confusion, us who in faith and with love celebrate Thy divine (name of the event) ; for the sake thereof do vouchsafe that we may obtain the enjoyment of eternal good things. [Glory ...Both now ...the same.
Ode 4. The Heirmos :
Perceiving the unfathomable divine council with regard to the incarnation from the virgin of Thee, the High One, the prophet Habbakuk called out: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
The divine festival of One Who in the flesh drew so near unto men, as a light hath come to the newly elected Israel and enlighteneth to day the ends of the whole world by His (name of the event): Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
8Having been illumined, Moses was of old made worthy to see God's glory in Thy signs, and the new Israel doth now behold Thee, the Deliverer, clearly face to face: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Behold, all ye people, the wonderful things, rejoice now in spirit, hymning (name of the event) of Christ, Who hath appeared on earth unto men for their salvation: Glory to Thy might, O Lord. [The Theotokion
O most pure Theotokos, save us that flee unto thee and celebrate Thy Son's divine (name of the event), and always supplicate Him to grant us remission of sins. [The Catabasia
O King of Kings, Sole from the only One, the Only Word of the Uncaused Father, Thou in Thy bounty hast truly sent down Thy Co-equal in might Spirit upon the apostles that hymn Thee : Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Ode 5. The Heirmos :
Thou Who hast dispersed the primordiate light that the works may in the light hymn Thee, O Christ, as the Creator, do in Thy light direct our paths.
Let us to-day clap our hands and shout with our voices the praises of the Lord, for, behold, He hath truly appeared, enlightening all the faithful with the divine (name of the event) of His most pure body.
The assemblies of the faithful are to-day enlightened and the bands of heretics put to shame at the sight of the adoration of (name of the event) of Christ, the Deliverer having assumed the bodily form.
The festivity is come and the great mystery hath shone forth light from the countenance of the Lord in the well-arranged festival of the divine (name of the event) of the Lord, for therewithal were granted unto all the captives peace and joy.
The Theotokion : Let the clouds drop sweetness from above unto the earthly, at thine intercession, O most holy Virgin; having taken compassion of the world, thy Son and our God hath to-day raised the horn of the Christians ; to-day hath He granted salvation unto the faithful by his divine (name of the event). [The Catabasia :
O ye, illustrious children of the church ! Receive the fire-breathing dew of the Spirit for the perfect purification of sins, for now from Zion hath gone forth the law -- the grace of the Spirit in the shape of the tongues of fire.
9Ode 6. The Heirmos :
Celebrating this divine and all-honourable feast of the Mother of God, come ye Godly-wise, let us clap our hands, glorifying the God that was born of her.
Life hath shone forth unto the dead, and light hath come unto those that were already blind, and unto those grievously afflicted hath sprung up a cure, and salvation hath come nigh unto all through the lightbearing (name of the event) of Christ.
Let every intelligence rejoice, now clearly seeing the spiritual festival of the divine (name of the event), which doth shed enlightenment unto those that adore Him.
O Lord, the heavens, seeing Thee, declare Thy glory, O Jesus Christ, they call together all Thy faithful to the hymning of Thy divine (name of the event), and those that are to come unto the knowledge of true repentance. [The Theotokion :
O Mother of God ! there appeared unto the nations a sign and sure salvation, O pure Virgin, in the light of the honoured (name of the event) of Thy Son; Him supplicate to save us that recall Thee, and deliver from dangers and incursions of pagans with thine intercessions. [The Catabasia :
O Christ! Thou hast shone forth from the Virgin unto us, O Master, as propitiation and salvation, that, just as once the prophet Jonah out of the belly of a sea-monster, Thou mightest rescue from corruption Adam, fallen with all his race.
The Contakion of the Festival; but if there be none, say the
following Contakion, Tone 2:
O uncircumscribed Word of the Father! knowing Thine undrawn by hand, but God-made icon to be the trophy of Thine ineffable and divine economy respecting men and of Thine undoubted incarnation, we honour Thee in kissing it.
The Oikos: Giving assurance unto men of the mystery of His incarnation, the Lord becometh Himself circumscribed by His God-and-man form; the Archetype thereof doth He seat on the Father's throne to be worshipped of the bodiless angels, and the adoration of an image of the Archetype hath He granted unto us; which embracing with our souls and hearts, we honour Him in kissing it.
10Ode 7. The Heirmos :
The Abrahamic youths have once in Babylon trodden under their feet the flame of the furnace, calling out in songs: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
Every city and country rejoice together with the new Zion in faithful celebration; for the King of her glory, Christ, hath come in the form of His venerable festival (name of the event) and saveth those that adore Him and vociferate: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.
The sayings of the God-voiced prophets have been fulfilled in the Holy Scriptures, for now we see the accomplishment in Christ's (name of the event); thereby is the world enlightened and with its brilliant shine are saved those that sing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou. [The Theotokion :
With the earthly the heavenly are rejoicing, and the multitude of all the saints participate in the rejoicings ; both the kings and princes, the rich and poor -- we are all celebrating; for Christ hath prepared for us an enlightenment in the picture of His festival -- the god-effecting similitude which He hath received from the Virgin. (The Catabasia :
Harmoniously have once resounded the instruments in honour of the golden-made, lifeless idol, and the light-bearing grace of the Comforter doth animate to the vociferation : O Sole Trinity, equal in might, unoriginate, blessed art Thou.
Ode 8. The Heirmos :
The youths in Babylon, burning with the divine zeal, have manfully scorned both the tyrant and the flame, and being thrown into the midst of the fire, but bedewed, sung : Bless the Lord, all ye the works of the Lord.
Being perfect God by nature, Thou wast seen a perfect man also, preserving in both natures their properties, and as God giving assurance of the divine (name of the event) in the flesh; Him adoring we sing: Bless the Lord, all ye the works of the Lord.
Exalt the horn, O Word of God, of those who confess Thee to be God and man and who glorify Thy (name of the event), wherewith Thou hast vouchsafed unto all the faithful the life eternal and made of no effect the rage of the pagans, haters of Thy divine might.
The new law shineth and the church is adorned, for the light11of Thy divine glory, O Christ the God, hath gone forth and manifested Thy light-like countenance in Thy (name of the event) unto the salvation of Thy people that vociferate unto Thee: Bless the Lord, all ye the works of the Lord. [The Theotokion:
O Thou, restoration of the fallen, joy of the despairing, instructress of those gone astray, healer of the sick and salvation for all Christians -- do preserve, O Sovereign-Lady Theotokos, us that honour (name of the event) of Thy Son; supplicate of Him that we may be delivered from the incursions of foreign nations.
The Catabasia: The triply-shining form of Godhead looseth the chains and bedeweth the flame; the youths hymn and the whole creation blesseth the Only Saviour and Maker as Benefactor.
Ode 9. The Heirmos :
Thy bringing forth hath proved incorrupt : God hath passed out of thy loins, as flesh-bearer did He appear on earth and hath lived among men ; wherefore we all magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Let us sing an ode of thanksgiving unto the Lord who was pleased to grant us exceedingly abundant riches in (name of the event) of His divine flesh which in battles affordeth so strong a support and honouring which we the faithful magnify Thee.
O the wonders above understanding which Thou, O Lord, hast made for us that trust in Thee! For just as (name of the event) was, Thou hast ineffably and awfully shown unto all the image thereof; do deliver those that honour it, from every anger and fall.
O Word of God, Wisdom and Might and Image of the Father! O God comprehensible! Do make us worthy to accomplish the joyful celebration of Thy festival (name of the event) in the light of good works, spiritually magnifying Thee.
The Theotokion : Truly thy height, O most pure one, is that of the mystery of God and the depth that of the divine and ineffable wisdom. For the Most High was unspeakably born of thee and the Invisible One became Visible in His fleshly (name of the event); adoring which we the faithful magnify thee.
The Catabasia : Hail thou, O Queen, the glory of both mother and maiden, for no mouth, however fluent and well-spoken, can be so eloquent as worthily to hymn thee, and every mind faileth to comprehend thy bringing forth; wherefore we with one voice glorify thee.
12The Photagogicon. Similar to: Hear, O ye women...
A mystery -- the greatest and withheld from angels, through the benevolence of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit was accomplished as a fulfilment of prophecy: the Unoriginate Word having accepted an origin, as a man was born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world and unto the redemption of mankind. Thrice.
With the Lands, the Stichera. Tone 1. Similar to: Of the heavenly orders...
O come ye all, let us in faith celebrate Christ's (name of the event), and offering intelligent hymns expressive of divine doxology, let us with one voice call out: Christ is come -- the salvation and restoration unto the earth. [Twice.
O come, let us with festive odes and mental rectitude glorify the (name of the event) of Christ, for being of equal honour with the Father and the Holy Spirit, He hath put on our compound on account of His commiseration; which we unspeakably celebrate together with the angels.
Let us with our mouths proclaim, on cymbals and in odes acclaim: The (name of the event) of Christ hath appeared; the preaching of the prophets hath found its fulfilment, since they foreannounced His appearance in the flesh among men, for our salvation and restoration.
Glory ...Both now... Tone 1. The Idiomelic Sticheron:
O come, let us, O people, celebrate Christ's (name of the event), let us concentrate our minds and feelings and we shall see Him who hath taken His flesh from the pure Virgin, being perfect Son both in his Godhead and humanity; wherefore let us call: O Holy God -- the Father Unoriginate, O Holy Mighty -- the Son Incarnate, O Holy Immortal -- the Comforting Spirit -- the Holy Trinity -- glory to Thee.
The great Doxology and the Dismission. At the Liturgy, with the Beatitudes, the Odes 3rd and 6th of the Canon.
13CHAPTER II.
THE SERVICE COMMON TO THE FESTIVALS OF THE HOLY VIRGIN.
For O Lord, I have cried, the following Stichera Tone 4. Similar to: Thou hast given a token...
With divine workings dost Thou preserve and shelter from incursions of the enemy those that lovingly celebrate Thine all-glorious (name of the event) and call unto Thee: Thou art our strength and stablishment and Thy Son our God is the God-becoming delight, Whom adoring we say: Jesu all-powerful, save our souls as Compassionate One!
To-day being divinely gathered together let us praise the Theotokos. most holy Virgin, many are thy grandeurs and abyss-full are thy wonders, for thou art holy protection, praise and glory and source of healing unto us also that celebrate thy holy (name of the event); wherefore praying we say: O Jesu all powerful, save our souls as Compassionate One.
Do thou, O most holy one, with thy honourable supplications both shelter and preserve, and unto the enemies -- as fearful and unsubduable shew those that make a festival of thy (name of the event), that we may call unto thy Son: O Jesu all-powerful, save us as Compassionate One ! [Glory ...Both now ...Tone 6.
As with a most brilliant circle, with thy (name of the event), O most holy Theotokos, the Church of God bath been surrounded and shining for joy and secretly exulting doth to-day call aloud unto thee, O Sovereign-Lady: Hail thou -- O precious diadem and crown of God's glory ; hail -- the only fulfilment of the glory and the eternal gladness ; hail -- the haven unto those that flee to thee, mediatrix and the salvation of our souls.
The Entrance. The Prokeimenon of the day.
The Reading from the Book of Genesis (28, 10-17).
Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all 14night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and, behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said: I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac; be not afraid : the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep and he said: Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said : How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
The Reading from the prophecy of Ezekiel (43, 27. and 44, 1-4).
Thus saith the Lord: upon the eighth day and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings, and I will accept you, saith the Lord God. Then He brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me: This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. As for the Prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. Then brought He me the way of the north gate before the house, and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
The Reading from the Proverbs (9, 1-11).
Wisdom hath builded her house, and hath fixed the seven pillars thereof. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled15her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens. She crieth upon the highest places of the city: whoso is single, let him turn in hither; as for them that want understanding, she saith unto them: come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake foolishness, and ye shall live, and go in search of understanding that ye may live, and improve understanding in knowledge. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot, for rebukes unto the wicked are as wounds to him. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For understanding of the law proceedeth from a good thought, for in this wise thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
For Versicles, the Stichera, Tone 3.
Come, O ye all the ends of the earth, and the honourable (name of the event) of the Mother of God let us glorify, for lifting up her hands to her Son doth she pray; wherefore with her holy (name of the event) the world is revivified; with psalms, and hymns and spiritual odes, let us joyfully celebrate with all the saints.
The Versicle : Unto the King shall virgins be brought in her train, and her companions shall be brought unto thee. Greatly hath God adorned thee with beauty since in the midst of men He placed the Light in thine arms. Do thou, that art alone in His light, the hope of Christians, the help unto those afflicted with wants and sorrows, and the haven for those labouring in the deep, entreat that may be delivered from afflictions those who lovingly hymn thy (name of the event) all-honoured.
The Versicle : Hearken, O daughter, and look and incline thine ear. Thine all-honoured (name of the event), O all-holy and pure Virgin, is glorified both by angels in the heavens and by the race of man on earth, for thou wast the Mother of the Maker of all, Christ the God. Him to entreat for us do not16cease, pray we, that have in thee, next to God, placed our trust, O Theotokos, most highly praised and innocent of marital intercourse.
Glory...Both now...Tone 2. Having purged our thoughts and minds, we, together with angels, joyfully celebrate the Virgin -- the Bride of the King of all, Christ our God, beginning with the David's hymn and saying: Arise, O Lord, in Thy repose, Thou and the ark of Thy sanctuary. As a beautiful chamber hast Thou adorned her and numbered her unto Thy city, O Master, to rear and to shelter from the inimical pagans, by the mighty power, through her entreaties.
The Troparion of the Festival from the Typicon. If there be no Typicon, say the following Troparion, Tone 4.
To the Theotokos let us, sinners and humbled, now flee and in penitence fall down before her calling out of the depth of our souls: O Sovereign Lady, help us taking pity on us, do hasten to our assistance as we are perishing from the multitude of our transgressions; neither turn thy servants empty away, for thou art the only hope that we have.
Glory...Both now... We shall never cease, although unworthy, to proclaim thy powers, O Theotokos; for if thou didst not intercede with thine entreaties, who should have delivered us from so many dangers ? and who should have preserved us in freedom until now? we shall never turn away from thee, for thy servants dost thou always deliver from all manner of evils.
At the Matins, for " God is the Lord," the Troparion twice; Glory ...Both now: We shall never cease ...Once.
After the 1st Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 4. Similar to: Thou hast appeared to-day...
Auroras like hath shone forth the world-wide joy of thy (name of the event), O Virgin Mother, Mary. Do thou enlighten on earth the thoughts of those who lovingly hymn thee.
Glory...Both now...the same
After the 2nd Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 4. Similar to: Amazed...
The Virgin Mary that is truly Theotokos hath shone forth unto us as a bright cloud; therewithall Adam is no longer condemned 17and Eve is released from bonds; wherefore we also cry out unto the only pure one, with boldness vociferating: O most holy Virgin, entreat thy Son to grant us remission of sins.
Glory...Both now...the same. After Praise ye the name of the Lord...the Refrain
Let us bring unto the Theotokos every spiritual hymn. The selected Psalm: Remember David, O Lord, and all his affliction. ... After the Polyeleon, the Cathisma, Tone 1. Similar to: The angelic hosts were upon Thy tomb-stone...
The ear of thy virginal womb proved to be beautiful, for thou hast given birth unto the Life of the world; wherefore the heavenly powers vociferate unto thee, O Theotokos, praising thy venerated festival, O most pure one. Glory unto thy (name of the event); glory to thy virginity, O Mother, that knewest not a man. [Glory...Both now...the same.
The Graduals, the 1st Antiphon of the 4th Tone. The
Prokeimenon, Tone 4:
I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations. The Verse : My heart hath poured forth a good word, I speak of my doings unto the King. Every breath... [The Gospel, St. Luke 10, 38-42; 11, 27-28.
After the 50th Psalm, the Sticheron, Tone 6:
To-day the gates of heaven are opening and the divine door moveth forth. To-day the grace of gladness beginneth, shewing forth unto the world (name of the event) of the Mother of God, through whom the earthly things become united with the heavenly, unto the salvation of our souls.
The Canon of the All-holy Theotokos, Tone 8. The Heirmoi to be said twice; the Troparia 12 times. Ode 1. The Heirmos.
Having crossed the water as if it were dry land and having escaped the evils of Egypt, the Israelites cried out: Let us sing unto our Deliverer and our God.
Do thou graciously strengthen me with God's power joyfully to sing thy (name of the event), O most pure one, -- the protection18of thy city, and unto all thy people, O all-holy one, invincible dominion and stability unto thy flock.
Benignity and mercy do we draw with thine entreaties, for thou hast brought forth God, the Mighty One, Who saveth all the pious through thine intercessions, O most spotless one; for His sake we all glorify thee, O Sovereign-Lady.
Thy divine (name of the event) do we celebrate, since through thee, O most pure Theotokos, have been granted incorruptible salvation, indestructible joy and hope, shelter and dominion and a refuge unto our souls.
Under thy shelter, O Sovereign-Lady, do we -- thy people -- flee. Be thou, O most spotless one, a help unto us, thy servants, and transmit supplication for salvation of those that lovingly hymn thee.
The Catabasia: I will open my mouth.
Ode 3. The Heirmos.
O Lord, the roofer of the heavenly firmament and the founder of the church, do Thou stablish me in Thy love, Thou -- the end of the desires, the stablishing of the faithful, the only Lover of man.
Let us with faith renew the hearts on (name of the event) of the holy Theotokos. Vouchsafing unto all that in faith pray for deliverance, do thou, O most pure one, protect us from the enemies, both visible and invisible.
Thou dost graciously sanctify those that in faith flee into thy temple and in love fall down before thy (name of the event). Do thou deliver us from all dangers and grant victories unto our Emperor (mentioned by name) over the pagans, and make gracious unto us thy Son and our God.
Having become incarnate of thee, God the Word hath made a house for Himself in thy holy womb and was pleased to be born, as He desired, and granted unto us to see the day of thy (name of the event); which lovingly celebrating, we do send our supplications unto thee.
With gladsome souls and joyful hearts we have directed our intelligence unto thy honoured and divine (name of the event), and we all the faithful, pray unto thee, O Theotokos, since thou hast suckled with thy milk thy most pure Son that feedeth us with His mercy.
19The Catlcisma, Tone 4 :
Thy church doth festively celebrate thy glorious (name of the event), and we, all the faithful, in hymning thee, diligently call unto thee, O pure Virgin, to strengthen all the faithful against the power of the enemy, to destroy the counsels of the wicked, and to direct our lives so that we do the divine will of thy Son.
Glory ...Both now ...the same.
Ode 4. The Heirmos :
I have hearkened, O Lord, unto the mystery of Thine Economy, comprehended Thy works and glorified Thy Godhead.
Since thou, O Virgin pure, hast passed over unto the neversetting Light, in praying unto thy Son and our God, remember also us who are celebrating thy honoured (name of the event) that He may grant us the remission of sins.
As the resplendent sun, in crossing the horizon, shineth forth, so doth also thy divine festival emit the rays, and driving away from us the darkness of passions, imparteth cleansing unto our souls and deliverance from dangers.
Now the darkness of the evil is dispersed and as light both of the sun and soul the festival of thy honoured (name of event), O all-spotless Mother of God, shineth forth, which we do piously celebrate.
Thou art, O most pure and most spotless Mother hymned of all, the great refuge and praise, thou art the ark of the intellectual sanctity and the inexhaustible source of cures unto those that venerate thy honoured (name of the event).
Ode 5. The Heirmos.
Wherefore hast Thou driven me away from Thy presence, O neversetting Light, and a strange darkness hath overcome me, the wretched one ? Do, however, turn me and set my paths unto the light of Thy commandments, I implore Thee.
Unto those that flee to thee for refuge everything becometh full of holiness, and we, faithful, obtaining pardon, celebrate thy honoured (name of the event), whereon we entreat thee to grant us grace and mercy in the day of judgment.
Adorned with the purity of virginity wast thou that gavest birth unto the Fair One, thy Son and our God; do thou adorn20the festival of thy honoured (name of the event) and gladden the hierarchical order; subdue unto our Emperor the foreign races and deliver from all dangers thy people.
As another paradise possessing in its midst the flower of sweet smell, becometh known thy honoured festival; with a divine sweet smell doth it fill the hearts of the faithful that lovingly venerate thee, O most spotless Sovereign-Lady.
A cloud wast thou, O Virgin, unto the divine rain, O most spotless Sovereign-Lady, pouring down the water of salvation with which was filled the earth dried with sins, and bringing unto the creation the fruit of virtue; wherefore we glorify thee.
Ode 6. The Heirmos
Cleanse me, O Saviour, for many are my transgressions, and lead me up from the depth of evils, I implore Thee, for unto Thee have I cried, and hearken to me, O God of my salvation.
Him that existed before all ages, hast thou as a babe brought forth and hast rejuvenated our hearts which were decayed through many sins ; accept also the renewal of our hymnology which is being offered unto Thy festival, O all-holy Theotokos.
Holy is thy temple and truly wonderful is thy most honoured (name of the event) which we celebrate therein; granting unto all that glorify thee, O most pure one, the cures for their hearts, do also preserve thy servants from all dangers.
Every soul rejoiceth at coming together in thy temple, and thy festival we celebrate, hymning, O Virgin Theotokos, thy honoured (name of the event) that is resplendent as a sun and shineth with light through the grace of God's Spirit. Do thou illumine us also and enlighten our hearts, O Virgin-Mother, Sovereign-Lady.
We hymn thy most honoured (name of the event) and reverence thy spotless conception and birth, O God's Bride and Maiden; with us do the angelic orders and the choirs of all saints glorify thee, Thereupon the Contakion of the Festival which happeneth to be. But if there be none, say the following Contakion, Tone 1.
Thou that wast above word and understanding the honoured dwelling of the ineffable divine nature and art the joint security for sinners, that grantest grace and cure as the Mother of the21King of all, do thou entreat thy Son that we may obtain mercy in the day of judgment.
Another Contakion, Tone 6
We have no other help, we have no other hope but thee, O Sovereign-Lady; do thou help us, in thee we trust, and in thee we glory; since we are thy servants, let us not be put to shame.
The Oikos : Let us lovingly cry unto the Theotokos: Hail thou, O Lord's city; hail thou, O David's sceptre; hail thou, O intellectual palace; hail thou, O pot of the divine manna; hail thou, O unconsumed bush; hail thou, O golden candlestick; hail thou, O inextinguishable candle; hail thou, O God's overshadowed mountain; hail thou, O fire-bearing throne; hail thou, O heavenly ladder and door; hail thou, O Aaron's rod that sprouted without moisture; hail thou that savest all from all dangers and afflictions. Do entreat, O most pure one, thy Son that we may obtain mercy in the day of judgment.
Ode 7. The Heirmos
Through God's descent the fire in Babylon did once become softened ; wherefore the youths dancing with joyful step in the furnace as if it were a flowery lawn, sung: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
As the Queen of all having come, thou hast set unto our glory the heavenly shelter of thy divine festival (name of the event); therewith we obtain deliverance from the irruption of the invisible enemies, crying out unto thy Son: Blessed is the God of our fathers.
With thy nativity, O Sovereign Theotokos and Virgin, and with all thy festivals the cycle of the year is crowned. Do now adorn also the day of thy honoured (name of the event) by outpouring grace, while we all the faithful are flocking into thy temple.
All the heavenly powers praise her that bare the Lord and the races of men glorify her that shewed unto us the day of her honoured (name of the event): she is our refuge, hope and protection, and the shelter from the incursions of the enemy.
O gracious cloud, do thou sprinkle from above with the dew of thy grace and mercy us that venerate the day of thy glorious 22festival (name of the event), which every soul gladly hymneth and glorifieth: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Ode 8. The Heirmos :
The Unoriginate King of glory, before Whom tremble the heavenly hosts, sing ye the priests and ye the peoples extol unto all the ages.
The only Queen of all before God art thou, O pure parent of God, both holy throne and the palace of Christ the God. Him entreat for those that venerate thy honoured (name of the event) to grant us the remission of sins.
In holy arms truly hast thou carried on earth the Lord Who of thee became incarnate, O all-glorious, and now hast thou ascended above heavens and left unto men the most joyous day of thy honoured (name of the event), whereon we also glorify thee, singing: Sing unto the Lord and exalt Him unto the ages.
Rejoice, O ye divine prophets, venerating the honoured (name of the event) of the Virgin Theotokos ; for she has fulfilled the sayings of you all, having brought forth Christ the King of all; Whom we exalt unto the ages.
O thou, raising of the fallen, gladness of the despondent, instructress of the wandering, unto the sick visitation and cure and salvation unto all Christians ; do, O Sovereign-Lady, preserve us that cry unto thee and venerate thy (name of the event) and deliver us from the incursion of other nations.
Ode 9. The Heirmos :
Everyone became terrified at hearing of the ineffable God's condescension, that the Most High did voluntarily come down even unto the flesh itself, having become man in a virgin's womb ; wherefore we the faithful magnify the most pure Theotokos.
Glorious things were said of thee, O city of God and of Him Who ever reigneth over the heavenly and earthly things, was born of thee and raised thee from the earth into heaven. Do unceasingly entreat Him for those that venerate thy honoured (name of the event), with Whom we magnify thee.
O ye the incorporeal orders, the assembly of the patriarchs and of apostles the godly compound, the prophetic choir, and the army of martyrs, the companies of hierarchs and of pious23fathers, and ye all the saints -- do rejoice with us celebrating (name of the event) of the Mother of God and magnifying her.
Thou hast sanctified everything with thy bringing forth, O most pure Virgin, and caused to appear a yet greater illumination -- the all honourable day of thy (name of the event), which celebrating we magnify thee.
Exalt the horn of our right pious Emperor and put down the ragings of other nations, O most pure Parent of God; keep free from wars thy cities and preserve all the christian countries wherein is magnified and faithfully glorified by all thy great and multiglorious name, O pure Sovereign-Lady.
The Photagogicon. Similar to : Hearken ye women...
Revive, O Adam, and thou Eve, rejoice, exalt ye -- prophets together with apostles and martyrs and be glad -- ye ascetics and hierarchs; for joy and gladness is both unto the angels and men the (name of the event) of the most pure Theotokos Mary. Thrice.
With the Lauds the Stichera. Tone 1.
Since unto the source of light and the inexhaustible stream of sereneness we offer the festival (name of the event), Him entreat, O Theotokos, to deliver us from the darkness of ignorance and from passions both spiritual and bodily, and in the world to come to save us from endless torment. Twice.
Being the source of benign wisdom and the gulf of understanding and grace, He that was born of thee in the flesh hath shewn thee, O Theotokos, as an abyss of the Hypostatical Wisdom of God in the festival (name of the event); for His sake do grant me a drop of thy wisdom and understanding, and instruct me with regard to the life.
The head of the mysterious wonders of Christ -- that awful commencement -- having seen, we honour and adore the venerable accomplishment -- the festival (name of the event) of thy O Sovereign-Lady, venerated image and of the divine wonders ; do visit us as instructress in sicknesses and sorrows and deliver us, O Theotokos, from the torment to come.
Glory ... Both now ... Tone 8:
Let us all sing unto the Theotokos Mary: Hail thou O Mother of God; hail, -- the ladder animated and reasonable; hail -- the24bush unconsumed; hail, -- the all-holy pot; hail, -- the flower of the faith; hail, -- the rod that sprouted; hail, -- the golden censer; hail, -- the God's overshadowed mountain, the Virgin; hail, -- the loosening of the first Eve; hail, -- the throne of God; hail, -- the multimerciful beauty; hail, -- the Sovereign-Lady.
The Great Doxology... and the Dismission.
CHAPTER III.
THE GENERAL SERVICE TO THE VENERATED AND VIVIFYING CROSS.
For, "O Lord, I have cried," the Stichera, Tone 7. Similar to Called from above...
To-day rejoiceth the divine multitude of the faithful; for unto the ends of the world there appeareth the cross, illumineth the firmament with light unapproachable, brighteneth the air and adorneth the face of the earth. The church of Christ hymneth with songs divine and in venerating serveth the divine and most wonderful cross which from above doth preserve her; by its power strengthened, let us approach the Master calling out and saying: pacify the world and enlighten our souls.
Let the creation rejoice and dance; for the cross to-day from heaven shineth forth in the ends of the world, enlightening the earthly and shewing united those that are scattered; to-day men exult together with the choirs of angels, for the cross having destroyed the forbidding call of separation, hath now joined all openly into one. Wherefore shining brighter than the sun it enlighteneth with grace the whole creation, and maketh clear and saveth those that faithfully honour it.
Shining brighter than the sun and shewing itself unto the world as the revered sceptre of Christ, the King, and as His end is the divine cross. It shineth clearly forth unto the ends of the world. It hath brought out of the hades the race of 25man and having greatly despoiled the hades and overturned the enemy did utterly destroy the arrogance of the demons. And now doth it declare the resurrection of the Saviour and saveth those that call: pacify the world and enlighten our souls.
Glory ...Both now... Tone 8.
That which Moses of old did prefigure, whilst vanquishing Amalek and obtaining victory over him, and that which David the Psalmist, calling it as Thy footstool, enjoined to adore, -- Thy venerable cross, O Christ the God, we sinners do this day adore, and with our unworthy lips extolling Thee Who hast deigned to be crucified thereon, we entreat: O Lord, with the malefactor of Thy kingdom do make us worthy.
The Entrance. The Prokeimenon of the day.
The Reading from the Book of Exodus (15, 22-27; 16, 1).
Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out, into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying: What shall we drink ? And he cried unto the Lord, and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet; there He laid for them statutes and ordinances, and there He proved them, and said: If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and three score and ten palm trees; and they encamped there by the waters. And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai.
The Reading from the Book of Proverbs (3, 11-18).
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction; for whom the Lord loveth He correcteth,26-- even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than costly stones: no evil can withstand her, she is well known to those who approach her, and everything that is honoured cannot be compared unto her. Length of days, and years of life are in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Out of her mouth truth proceedeth, and law and mercy she carrieth on her tongue. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her and unto those that trust in her as in the Lord, she is steadfast.
The Reading from the Book of Isaiah (60, 11-16).
Thus saith the Lord: thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish, yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary, and I will make the place of My feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet, and they shall call thee, the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal magnificence, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shaft consume the riches of kings; and thou shaft know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
For Versicles, the Stichera, Tone 2. Similar to: O house of Ophrah...
With the deified water and Thy blood, O Word, is the church -brightly ornamented as a bride, praising the glory of the cross.
27The Versicle: Exalt ye the Lord our God and bow down before His footstool, for it is holy.
Let us bow down whilst exalting the spear with the cross, the nails and other things with which the life-bearing body of Christ was affixed. The Versicle : And God our King before the ages hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
When Moses was vanquishing Amalek and holding his hands in the air, he did prefigure in the form of the cross the most pure passion of Christ. [Glory ...Both now...
Prefiguring Thy cross, O Christ, Jacob, the patriarch, whilst blessing his grand children laid his hands upon their heads in the form of the cross, which to-day exalting we cry out, O Saviour: Grant victories unto the Christ-loving Emperor as Thou didst grant the overcoming unto Constantine. Now Thou lettest...The Trisagion. And after Our Father ... the Troparion: O Lord, save Thy people. And the Dismission.
At the Matins, for God is the Lord, the same Troparion thrice.
After the 1st Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 6 :
No sooner was the tree of Thy cross, O Christ, fixed, the very foundations of death, O Lord, were shaken; for Him Whom the hades so greedily engulfed it had with dread to disgorge. Thou, O Holy One, hast declared unto us Thy salvation and we glorify Thee, O Son of God; have mercy upon us.
Glory ...Both now ...the same.
After the 2nd Stichologia; the Cathisma, Tone: 6:
To-day is fulfilled the prophetic saying, for we bow down upon the spot on which stood Thy feet, O Lord, and having received the tree of salvation, we obtained the freedom of sinful passion, through the supplications of the Theotokos, O Only Lover of men. [Glory ...Both now...the same.
After Praise ye the name of the Lord, the Refrain :
We magnify Thee, O Life-giver, Christ, and we venerate Thy holy cross with which Thou hast delivered us from the thraldom of the enemy. [The selected Psalm :
Judge, O Lord, those who offend me, vanquish those who fight against me...
28After the Polyeleon the Cathisma, Tone 8. Similar to :
That which was secretly ordained...
In paradise a tree hath once made me naked, the enemy through eating bringing about death, and when the tree of the cross, bringing the vestment of life unto men, hath been fixed on earth, the whole world was filled with every manner of joy. This seeing lifted up, let us, O people, with one voice and one faith cry out unto God: Filled is Thy house with glory. Glory...Both now...the same.
The Graduals, the 1st Antiphon of the 4th Tone.
The Prokeimenon, Tone 4
All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. The Verse: Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let every breath... The Gospel St. John 12, 28-36.
After the 50th Psalm the Sticheron, Tone 6
O cross of Christ -- the hope of Christians, the instructor of the straying, the haven of the assaulted, the victory in wars, the stablishment of the universe, of the infirm the healer, the resurrection of the dead, have mercy upon us.
The Canon of the venerated and life-giving Cross -- the work of Gregory the Sinaiate. The Heirmoi -- twice each, and the Troparia 12 times in all. Tone 4 : Ode 1. The Heirmos : I will open my mouth...
O cross all-powerful ! Thou art the boast of the apostles, the stablishing of the ascetics and the sign of the faithful, the glory of both the hierarchs and of the martyrs, the victory and stablishing of all those that praise thee.
O cross most venerated ! Thou hast proved to be four-ended power, the adornment of the apostles and of martyrs the strength, the health of the infirm, of the dead the resurrection and of the falling the raising.
O cross ! Be unto me the might, the strength and the power, the deliverer and foremost defender against my assailants, the shield and protector, my victory and stablishing, ever preserving and sheltering me. [The Theotokion :
When thou, O all-spotless one, saw on the cross thy Son, a painful weapon did lacerate thy breast, thou hast given way to29exclamations, lamenting in thy pain, but soon didst thou glorify the might of the cross. The Catabasia : Having delineated the cross, Moses...
Ode 3. The Heirmos: Thy hymnologists, O Theotokos...
O cross most venerated ! Thou art the weapon of the ascetics -- the two-edged sword of Christ, the adornment of the faithful, of ailing the cure and protection and raising of the dead.
O cross! Thou hast proved to be the foundation of piety, the destroyer of demons, the ornament of churches, the ruin of the wicked and humiliation of the enemies in the day of judgment.
O cross the life-bearing ! Be unto me the strength and victory, the shield and wall unassailable, the driving away of demons and the extinguishing of bad thoughts and preservation unto my mind. [The Theotokion.
The crucifixion most humiliating did thy Son, O Virgin Sovereign-Lady, suffer as well as the death most unsuitable; but exalted hath He become and hath overturned the antagonistic forces of the enemy, as Immortal One. The Catabasia : A staff as type of mystery...
The Cathisma, Tone 8. Similar to: That which was secretly
ordained...
The form of the cross did of old mysteriously typify Joshua the son of Nun, when he cruciformly spread his arms, O my Saviour, and the sun stood until the enemies that fought against Thee, O God, were overpowered; and now seeing Thee on the cross the sun set, and having destroyed the power of death, Thou hast raised with Thyself the whole world. Glory ...Both now... the same.
Ode 4. The Heirmos: He that sitteth in glory on the throne
of the Godhead...
The world being four-ended, thou, O cross, art represented by us, and as a three-edged sword dost thou cut off the principles of darkness, being the great weapon of Christ and an invincible and all-powerful victoriousness.
Thy height, O life-bearing cross, striketh the prince of the air, and thy depth slayeth the serpent of the whole abyss, and 30thy width doth again appear in putting down the prince of the world by thy might.
Being raised, thou hast attracted the fallen together with thee, thou hast exalted the earthly nature and art praised equally with the throne of God; O cross -- the great height, bridge for the world, do speedily bring up my soul from the depth of passions. [The Theotokion :
Having cruciformly stretched out thy hands, O most pure Maiden-Theotokos, unto Him Who was lifted on the cross, do now, O Virgin, bring also thine entreaties for all those that in faith pray unto thee. The Catabasia : Having heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thine oeconomy.
Ode 5. The Heirmos: Amazed were all things at thy
divine glory...
O cross! Thou art the heavenly ladder of the sanctuary, the indicator of steps, the height and glory of Christ, the image of God equally significative unto the world both visible and invisible.
O cross! A form indescribable in power, sanctification of waters, purification of the air, consecration and enlightenment ; thou hast appeared as a sign of every valour and as Christ's immutable sceptre that hurleth to the ground every adversary.
O cross all-powerful! Do put down the wicked enemies that foolishly hate and denounce thee; set fire to the heathen and extinguish their rage. O cross, all-holy and Christ-bearing, preserve us by thy might.
The Theotokion : O Queen of all, Sovereign-Lady, by the sceptre of thine Offspring, do, O Virgin, destroy the revolt of those who denounce the might of the cross, do grant strength and cleansing, victory and help unto our Faithful Emperor. The Catabasia : O most highly praised tree...
Ode 6. The Heirmos : Celebrating this divine and most
honourable feast...
Cross is the resurrection of all, cross is the raising of the fallen, the mortification of passions and subjugation of the body, cross is the glory of souls and light eternal.
Cross is the destroyer of enemies, cross is the overthrow and31captivation of the wicked and of the faithful the might, the preserver of the pious, and the driver away of the demons.
Cross is the destruction of passions, cross is the driving away of bad thoughts, cross is the ruin of the crafty heathen and hath proved to be the captor of spirits.
No sooner the cross is lifted, the orders of the spirits of the air fall, and when the cross descendeth, all the impious fear, seeing as lightning the power of the cross.
The Catabasia: The sea monster... The Contakion, Tone 4.
Similar to :
Thou that wast of Thine own will lifted up on the cross, do grant Thy bounties, O Christ the God, to Thy new community named after Thee; make glad in Thy power our Faithful Emperor (mentioned by name), conferring victories over his enemies upon him who hath Thine assistance, the armoury of peace -- an unconquerable trophy. [The Oikos :
He that was caught up to the third heaven into paradise and heard unspeakable and godly words which may not be uttered by (human) tongues -- what doth he write unto the Galatians which the zealots of scriptures read and understood ? As to me, saith he, God forbid, that I should glory, save in the cross alone of Christ, Who hath suffered thereon and hath slain the passions; that cross of the Lord we all therefore also hold in glory, for this tree of salvation is unto us the armoury of peace, an unconquerable trophy.
Ode 7. The Heirmos : The godly-minded ones worshipped
not the creature...
The Undivided and Unmixed Trinity let us theologize as One in nature -- the Father Unbegotten and the Begotten Son and the Holy Proceeding Spirit of God, singing in hymns: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers.
With the never-setting lightnings of Thine, O Three-hypostatic One, do enlighten our mental eyes that we may see Thy transcendent beauty, O Triluminar One, which is incomprehensible unto men and to angels inaccessible.
With the rays of Thy light, O gracious God, most-hymned and all-powerful, do Thou raise up from the depth my fallen32soul that was ensnared away from the light of grace and precipitated into the darkness. [The Theotokion :
Crosswise stretching thine arms, O pure one, unto Him Who had stretched His arms on the tree of the cross and exalted our nature as well as slain the armies of the enemies, cease not in thy supplications. The Catabasia: The senseless order of the tyrant...
Ode 8. The Heirmos : The pious youth in the furnace...
The height of Christ's passion, the bow and arrow and a sword -- an unassailable weapon and unconquerable power, Christ's footstool and victory over the enemies, symbol of reign and sceptre of the faithful -- hast thou proved to be, O victorious cross.
Thou hast raised up our fallen nature, having restored us together with and through Christ crucified, O height divine and depth unspeakable ! Thou art the symbol of Christ, O most precious cross, and the breadth without measure as well as the symbol of the Incomprehensible Trinity, O life-bearer.
Embracing the cross of the Lord with our lips, souls and hearts, let us all come now together, exalt and magnify it, and adoring it let us sing together the purest hymn, exclaiming: Hail thou, O cross, that art the greatest riches, the adornment of the church.
It is the tree of life and of salvation, the tree of immortality, the tree of knowledge, the tree thrice-beloved, incorruptible and inexhaustible -- that cross tripartite, the honoured tree, for it bears the image of the three-hypostatical Trinity.
The Catabasia : Bless ye, O youths...
Ode 9. The Heirmos : Let every earth born one leap
in spirit...
Who will be able in writing to proclaim thy works, O cross dear to the world, thy powers and wonders -- the raising of the dead? Howbeit the whole world hath exalted together with Himself He, the greatly desired One, Who hath ascended unto God.
Stablishing of the faithful is the thrice-blessed cross, their sign and glory, the tree all-powerful ; the cross of Christ is great 33and perfect, it is the glory of the apostles, stablishment of the ascetics and of martyrs the strength and might, of kings the victory and glory.
Hail thou, O cross, the image uncircumscribed and most eminent, the thrice-rich tree both fearful and all-blessed; hail thou, O all-holy and all-powerful cross; hail, the preserver of our lives -- thou, O all-hymned cross of the Lord.
O honoured cross! Be unto me the preserver of my soul and body, with thy form putting down demons, driving away mine enemies, destroying passions and granting me blessing, life and strength by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost and through the honoured entreaties of the all-pure one.
The Catabasia : Mysterious paradise art thou,
O Theotokos.. The Photagogicon :
The cross is the preserver of the universe; the cross is the adornment of the Church; the cross is the might of kings; the cross is the stablishment of the faithful; the cross is the glory of angels and the sore of demons. Thrice.
With the Lauds the Stichera, Tone 1. Similar to :
Of the heavenly orders the joy...
The way to heaven the venerable cross prepareth unto all that adore it, in undoubted faith; and unto the choirs of the bodiless powers coupleth those that lovingly hymn it, He Who was nailed thereon.
Adoring in faith the venerable cross, let us hymn the Lord crucified thereon; purifying both our lips and souls at the bidding of that one, we shall become enlightened with the spiritual brightness of This one, in praising Him.
Sweetening the bitterness, Moses hath of old saved Israel by making the form of the cross, and we all the faithful, mystically and divinely impressing it in our hearts, are always saved by its power. [Glory...Both now....Tone 4:
Having helped meek David to subdue the stranger, do Thou, O Lord, succour our faithful Emperor (mentioned by name) and with the arm of the cross put down our enemies; make shine upon us, O Bounteous, Thy mercies of old, that they may truly34understand that Thou art God, and that trusting in Thee we may obtain victories, whilst we customarily pray unto Thy most pure Mother that great mercy may be granted unto us.
The great Doxology ...And the Dismission. At the Liturgy
for the Beatitudes Ode 3 and 6 of the Canon.
CHAPTER IV.
THE SERVICE COMMON TO THE HOLY ANGELS AND OTHER BODILESS ONES.
For, O Lord, I have cried, the Stichera, Tone 4. Similar to: As a virtuous...
Of the thrice-sunny Godhead the most illustrious attendants, -- ye, angels, that appear as chief-captains, joyfully shout with the powers above: Holy art Thou, O Father, Holy art Thou, O Unoriginate Word, Holy art Thou also, O Holy Spirit, one glory, one kingdom and nature, one Godhead and power.
As your appearance is fiery, so is your virtue wonderful, O Michael and Gabriel -- the first among angels, for in your unearthly nature ye traverse the ends of the world, carrying out the behests of the Creator of all, being acknowledged powerful in your strength and making sources of healings the temples dedicated to you and venerated on account of your holy calling.
Thou, O Lord, that makest, as hath been written, Thine angels spirits and Thy ministers flames of fire, hast shewn pre-eminent amongst the orders Thine Arch-angel Michael together with Thy chief-captain Gabriel that at a sign from Thee obey Thee, O Word, and the trisagion hymn, with fear, vociferate unto Thy glory. [Glory, Tone 6:
Rejoice with us, all ye angelic orders, for your chiefs and our intercessors -- the great chief-captains, -- gloriously appearing35to-day in their honourable temple, are blessing us; wherefore in dutifully hymning them we cry unto them: Shelter us with the shadow of your wings, O ye the greatest chief-captains.
Both, now ...the Theotokion : Rejoice with us, all ye the choirs of virgins, for our intercessor and mediatrix, shelter and great refuge doth to-day in her honourable and divine temple comfort the afflicted; wherefore let us, in dutifully hymning her, cry out: Shelter us with thy divine intercession, O most pure Theotokos, Sovereign-Lady.
The Entrance. The Prokeimenon of the day.
The Reading from Joshua the son of Nun (5, 13-15).
It came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand; and Joshua went up to him and said unto him: Art thou for us, or for our adversaries ? And he said, As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and said unto Him: What saith my Lord unto His servant? And the Captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua: Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
The Reading from the Book of Judges (6, 2. 7. 11-24).
It came to pass in those days that the hand of Midian prevailed against the children of Israel, and they cried unto the Lord God. And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite ; and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine-press to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him: The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him: O, my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us ? and where be all the miracles which our fathers told us of, saying: Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt ? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon 36him and said: Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites, and, behold, I have sent thee. And Gideon said unto Him: O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least of my father's house. And the Lord said unto him: Surely I will be with thee, and thou shaft smite the Midianites as one man. And Gideon said unto Him: If now I have found grace in Thy sight, then shew me a sign that Thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, until I come unto Thee, and bring forth my present and set it before Thee. And the angel of the Lord said unto him: It is I and I will tarry until thou come again. And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto Him under the oak and worshipped Him. And the angel of the Lord said unto him: Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes and lay them upon this rock and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that He was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said: Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him: Peace be unto thee, fear not; thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord and called it Jehovah-shalom even unto this day.
The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (14, 7-20).
Thus saith the Lord: Let the whole earth break forth into singing; yea, let the fir trees rejoice at thee, and let the cedars of Lebanon say: Since thou art laid down, no fitter has come up against us. Hell beneath is vexed at meeting thee, at thy coming; it stirreth up all the giants against thee, even the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee: Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, 37and all thy noise; the worm is spread under thee and the worms cover thee. Thou art fallen from heaven, O Aurora, shining in the morning. Thou art broken down against the ground, thou which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven, I will sit also upon the high mount in the midst of mountains that are in the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the foundations of the earth. They that see thee shall wonder and say of thee: This is the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms, that made the universe a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, that loosed not his prisoners into their houses. All the kings of the nations lie in glory, yea every one in his own house, but thou shalt be cast out of thy grave like an abomination of the dead, with those dead that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the pit. As the raiment steeped in blood cannot be clean, so also thou wiltst not be clean, for thou hast destroyed My laws and slain My people, and thou shaft never be renowned.
For the Versicles, the Stichera, Tone 1.
O ye chief-captains of the intellectual hosts, ever standing before the throne of the Most High, do entreat the Lord to grant peace unto the world and unto our souls great mercy.
The Versicle: He maketh His angels spirits and His ministers
flame of fire :
The chief of the powers on high, Michael, the first amongst the divine orders, that ever accompanieth us and preserveth all from every attack of the devil, hath called us to-day unto the feast. Wherefore come, O ye lovers of feasts and lovers of Christ, and taking with us the flowers of virtues, let us, with pure thoughts and ever-clear conscience, do homage unto the assembly of archangels, for standing continually before God and singing the trisagion hymn, they pray that our souls may be saved.
38The Versicle: Praise ye Him, all His angels, praise ye Him, all
His hosts
O chief-captains of the intellectual hosts, that stand before the Immaterial Being and with the splendours of the thrice sunny glory illumine the universe, with an unceasing voice ye sing the trisagion hymn; wherefore pray that our souls may be saved. [Glory ... Both now ... Tone 8.
As the chief defender and leader of angels, do, O chief-captain, deliver from every want and tribulation, from wickedness and mortal sins those that hymn thee and implore thee, O glorious one, since, as bodiless, thou seest the Immaterial One and art illuminated with the unapproachable light of the glory of the Most High; for He out of love to mankind and for our sake hath taken the flesh from the Virgin, being desirous of saving the race of man.
The Troparion : Tone 4. Of the heavenly hosts the chief-captains we, the unworthy ones, do ever entreat you, that through your prayers ye may protect us with a shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us who assiduously fall down before you and cry out unto you: From dangers do deliver us as the chiefs of the powers on high.
Glory ...Both now ...the Theotokion or the Stavro-theotokion:
At the Matins, for God is the Lord, the same Troparion twice. Glory ...Both now ...the Theotokion. After the 1st Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 6
The angelic hosts standing before Thy throne, O Christ, are praying for the race of man; granting therefore peace unto all through their intercessions, do Thou subdue the insolence of foreigners. Twice.
Glory ...Both now ...The Theotokion : Having at the arch-angel's salutation conceived in thy womb, O Theotokos, the Word, Co-unoriginate with the Father and the Holy Spirit, thou hast appeared higher than the cherubim and seraphim and the thrones.
After the 2nd Stichologia, the Cathisma, Tone 6 :
Around the throne of the King of all ever rejoicing, O ye all39the orders of angels, do preserve us, that in faith invoke you, and deliver us from sufferings.
Twice. Glory...Both now ...the Theotokion. Hail thou -- the door open unto God Who unspeakably entered in, and passed out of, thee, O Ever-Virgin.
After Praise ye the name of the Lord, the Refrain :
We magnify you, O archangels and angels and all the hosts, cherubim and seraphim, that glorify the Lord. [Another :
We magnify you, O archangels, angels, principalities, authorities, thrones, dominions, powers, cherubim and fearful seraphim that glorify the Lord.
The selected Psalm: I will confess unto Thee, O Lord,
with all my heart...
After the Polyeleon the Cathisma, Tone 6 :
O ye, shining angels of God that stand before the divine throne of grace, obtaining the true humility and real enlightenment from the divine light, do look down with the heavenly lovers of men upon us that suffer from the terrible persecution of the prince of the world and sleep in darkness. Come then, O archangels, to our assistance and deliver us from the snares of the origin of evil -- the enemy, for unto your shelter, O most praised ones, we all have recourse. [Twice.
Glory ...Both now...the Theotokion :
The hope and shelter and refuge of those who trust in thee, O tender God's Mother and intercessor for the world, do thou assiduously entreat with the bodiless ones man-loving God Whom thou hast brought forth, O only blessed one, that our souls may be delivered from every threatening.
The Graduals, the 1st Antiphon of the 4th Tone. The Prokeimenon : He that maketh His angels spirits and His ministers flames of fire. The 'Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, Thou art become exceedingly exalted. Let every breath... The Gospel, St. Luke 10, 16-21. Glory... Through the intercessions of the archangels...Both now: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos... After the 50th Psalm the Sticheron, Tone 6 :
Thine angels, O Christ, that stand in fear before the throne40of the majesty and with the outpouring of Thy light are ever illuminated, Thy heavenly psalmodists and ministers of Thy council who are sent down by Thee, -- they enlighten our souls.
The Canon, Tone 8. Ode 1. The Heirmos :
Let us, O people, send up a song unto our marvellous God Who delivered Israel from thraldom, chanting a song of victory and vociferating: We sing unto Thee, our only Lord.
Let us, O ye faithful, hymn the untreated Trinity that ruleth all the immaterial orders of the heavenly choirs, vociferating : Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God Almighty.
The beginning of creation, bodiless substance that surroundeth Thy most precious throne, Thou, the Creator of angels, hast set to cry unto Thee: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God Almighty.
Hail, Gabriel, witness of the mystery of God's incarnation, and Michael -- the foremost amongst the orders of the immaterial, that ceaselessly cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God Almighty.
The Theotokion : I tremble before the mystery of Thy condescension, O Christ, for being God by nature, Thou wast pleased to be born as man of a virgin, that Thou mayest save the world from the thraldom of the enemy.
Ode 3. The Heirmos :
Thy fear, O Lord, do Thou plant in the hearts of Thy servants and be Thou the strength of those that in truth invoke Thee.
In strength hast Thou, O Immortal One, set the mighty ones that perform Thy most holy will, that ever stand above before Thee.
The initiates of Thine incarnation and august awakening -- the chief of the angels interceding for us, do Thou, O Christ, receive.
Angels hast Thou, as Compassionate One, set guardians of men and hast shewn them, O Christ, ministers of the salvation unto Thy holy ones. [The Theotokion :
Ineffably hast Thou, O God's Bride, conceived the Lord and Saviour Who delivereth from terrible things us that invoke thee in truth.
41The Cathisma, Tone 8. Similar to: What was commanded...
The chiefs of the heavenly ones and the foremost that stand before the highest and dreadful throne of the divine glory, Michael and Gabriel, the chief captains of angels, together with all the bodiless ones, -- O ye ministers of the Most High, whilst you incessantly pray for the world, do obtain by your entreaties the remission of our transgressions and that we may meet with mercy and grace in the day of judgment.
Twice. Glory...Both now ...The Theotokion:
Having woefully fallen into the slough of despondency through the multitude of my wicked and lawless deeds, I reached the stage of perplexity and am now holden of by despair. O Theotokos, Sovereign-Lady, do thou save me, do thou help me, for unto sinners thou art the cleansing and saving purification. [The Stavro-Theotokion
Seeing Him Who was incarnate of thy pure blood and past all understanding was born of thee, O pure one, hanging on the tree in the midst of malefactors, thy heart sickened and motherly lamenting thou didst cry out: Woe unto me, O my child! how divine and ineffable is Thine economy wherewith Thou hast revivified Thy creation! I hymn Thy commiseration.
Ode 4. The Heirmos :
Thou hast mounted the horses -- Thine apostles, O Lord, and hast taken up in Thy hands their reins and Thy riding is become salvation unto those that in faith sing: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Thou hast sat upon angels as on horses, O Lover of men, and hast taken up with Thy hand their reins, and Thy riding is become salvation unto those that unceasingly cry out: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Thy virtue, O Lover of men, covereth the angels and filleth up the ends of the world with Thy glorious and divine praise, O Unoriginate One, and with them vociferateth unto Thee: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Thou, O compassionate One, didst come for the salvation of Thy people, O Christ, calling unto Thee the friends of Thy might, and Thy coming is become joy unto those that in faith cry out unto Thee: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
42The Theotokion. As Virgin and Mother hast thou, O most pure one, supernaturally appeared, since as both God and man hast thou brought forth Christ, to Whom the angelic orders with fear cry out: Glory to Thy might, O Lord.
Ode 5. The Heirmos :
Having enlightened with the knowledge of God the ends of the world that was in the night of ignorance, do Thou, O Lord, illumine me with the morning of Thy love to man.
Ever carried by irrevocable desire unto the height, unto Thee, O Christ, that art the extremest end of all desires, the angelic hosts do unceasingly glorify Thee.
The intellectual by nature Thou hast, O Christ, made the psalmodists of Thy majesty incorruptible by Thy grace, having shaped Thine angels in the image, O Incomprehensible One.
Thou hast, O Christ, preserved Thy servants from being inclined to the evil by keeping them near unto Thee, for being the Source of goodness, Thou dost do good unto those that worthily serve Thee. [The Theotokion :
Do Thou, O all-spotless one, who broughtest forth the Preserver of life, revive my soul that hath been deadened with vile passions and set me into the path eternal unto the blessed life.
Ode 6. The Heirmos :
Thou hast, O Lord, settled Jonah alone in the whale; do Thou save me, burdened with trammels of the enemy, from corruption as Thou didst him.
God-beseemingly hast Thou, O Lord, by Thy word brought out of nothing into existence the heavenly immortal hosts, making them luminous.
Honourable initiates of the praising of God you have become, O bodiless ones, the dwellers of the heavenly and truly divine tabernacle, worthily serving the Creator.
The intellectual orders of the bodiless Thee, O Son of God, truly Unoriginate, ceaselessly praise and glorify as Maker and Architect of all things. The Theotokion :
Him that from eternity sitteth on high with the Father, thou, O all purest one, wast made worthy to lay down in thine arms; vouchsafe, O pure one, to make Him merciful unto thy servants.
43The Contakion, Tone 2. O ye chief captains of God, ministers of the divine glory, superiors of angels and guides of men, do as the chief captains of the incorporeal ones, entreat for us what is profitable and great mercy. [The Oikos :
In Thy writings, O Lover of men, hast Thou said, there is great joy among angels in heaven on account of one repenting man, O Immortal One; wherefore we that are in sins, always make bold, O Thou the only Sinless One and Searcher of hearts, to implore Thee, as One abounding in mercy, to commiserate and to send down unto us, unworthy, compunction, granting us pardon, for us all intercede before Thee, O Master, the chief captains of the bodiless ones.
Ode 7. The Heirmos.
The Hebrew youths have boldly trodden the flame in the furnace and have changed the fire into dew, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord the God, unto the ages.
Luminaries hast Thou, O Compassionate, shewn the immaterial nature of Thine angels, constantly filled with the ineffable light and calling: Blessed art Thou, O God, unto the ages.
Before Thee continually stand myriads of angels serving Thee,without being able to bear the sight of Thy countenance, and calling: Blessed art Thou, O Lord the God, unto the ages.
By Thy Hypostatic Word hast Thou made the multiplicity of angels and having hallowed them with the Divine Spirit, has taught them, O God, to bless the Trinity unto the ages.
Of the Trinity : Meditating on the three Hypostases, we glorify the uncircumscribed nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, crying out: Blessed art Thou, O Lord the God, unto the ages.
Ode 8. The Heirmos :
Unto Him that was glorified on the holy mount and in the bush through the flame unto Moses the mystery of the Ever-virgin hath shewn, sing unto the Lord and extol Him unto all the ages.
Let us emulate the life of angels and directing our thoughts on high let us with the angels mentally sing, hymning the Lord and extolling Him unto all the ages.
44Participators of the heavenly rejoicings, standing around the throne of the glory and continually moving before God, the angels hymn and extol Him unto all the ages.
Unto the Trinity that maketh those continually serving on high a flame of immaterial fire and the angels -- spirits, let us bow down and let us doxologize It unto all the ages. [The Theotokion :
Before Whom in heaven stand with fear myriads of angels and archangels, Him wast thou, O Theotokos, made worthy to carry in thine arms; do entreat Him that may be saved those who doxologize Him unto all the ages.
Ode 9. The Heirmos:
Thou hast passed the limits of nature, having conceived the Maker and Lord, and wast unto the world the door of salvation; wherefore we do unceasingly magnify thee, O Theotokos.
Thee, O Christ, Who didst ineffably unite the earthly things unto the heavenly and hast of angels and men perfected one Church, we do unceasingly magnify.
O ye both angels and archangels, the thrones, authorities and dominions, principalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim -- do with the Theotokos intercede for the world.
Shewing yourselves as the protectors of all, O Michael and Gabriel, do visit those that lovingly honour your all-festive memory, and deliver from every calamity those that are in faith hymning you.
The Theotokion: Hail, O holy Bride of God! Hail thou that broughtest forth unto the faithful the Light of the world; hail thou -- the wall and shelter of us all ! do unceasingly entreat for us God as Benefactor.
The Photagogicon. Similar to: With the spirit in the sanctuary...
Thou, Michael, the chief-captain of the ministers of fire, hast obtained from the Father the foremost place amongst the lights; wherefore dost thou possess also the brightness of His glory, standing, as the first of the immaterial orders, around the most pure throne. [The Theotokion :
The orders of the bodiless ones honour thy birth, for thou alone hast filled the earthborn with joy; wherefore we the 45faithful glorify thee, the all-spotless one, doxologizing in hymns, for unto those in darkness hast thou kindled a light as an advanced morning day. [With the Lauds, the Stichera. Tone 2.
O intellectual beings, divine and incorporeal! surrounding the immaterial throne, with flaming lips ye sing the trisagion hymn unto God the Ruler: Holy God, the Father Unoriginate, Holy Mighty the Son Co-unoriginate, Holy Immortal-Spirit of the same substance, glorified together with the Father and the Son. Twice.
With immaterial lips and intellectual mouths the orders of the angels an unceasing doxology bring unto Thine unapproachable Godhead, O Lord; and the pure minds and ministers of Thy glory praise Thee, O Lord; with whom Michael the bodiless and Gabriel the greatly resplendent and the foremost of the powers on high, the chief-captains of angels are this day our instructors, enjoining us to sing the song of songs unto Thine unapproachable glory, O Lover of man; before which they also unceasingly entreat for our souls. Tone 4.
With lips of fire the cherubim hymn Thee, O Christ the God, and with immaterial mouths incessantly doxologizeth Thee the choir of archangels, and Michael, the chief-captain of the powers on high, unceasingly bringeth unto Thy glory the victorious hymn; he it is also who enlightened us this day with our perishable lips worthily to strike in psalmody the trisagion praise on the occasion of the bright festival, for everything hath been filled with Thy praise and Thou dost grant therewith unto the world great mercy!
Glory ...Tone 5. Idiomelic :
Wherever thy grace overshadoweth, O archangel, therefrom is driven the power of the devil, for the fallen morning star cannot bear to see thy light; wherefore we entreat thee his fire-bearing arrows which are directed against us, to extinguish with thine intercession, delivering us from his temptations, O worthily-praised (mentioned by name), the chief-captain. Both now ...the Theotokion :
We bless thee, O Theotokos Virgin, and we the faithful praise thee as in duty bound, O city unassailable, wall 46impregnable, sure intercession and refuge for our souls.[The Stavro-theotokion :
A lamb, seeing once her Lambkin go to be slaughtered, intently followed, thus calling out after Him: Whither goest Thou, O my sweetest Child, Jesus? Why dost Thou make this swift progress, O Long-suffering One, unsluggishly ? O Jesu, most d