The Prokeimenon!
20th June 2006, 03:48 PM
DAILY VESPERS
Priest: Blessed is our God, always. Now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen
O Come, let us worship and fall down before God, our King. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. (metania)
O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God. (metania)
THE PROËMIAKÓN
(Psalm 103) Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds his chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed forever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At Thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from His chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth: and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the badgers. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom, hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, who Thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thy hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Alleluia. The sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom has Thou made them all.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God (thrice)
O our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
THE GREAT LITANY
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord
People: Lord, have mercy (1)
Priest: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord
People: Lord, have mercy (2)
Priest: For the peace of the whole world, the welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: For this holy house, and for those who with faith, reverence and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (2)
Priest: For our Metropolitan PHILIP, our Bishop JOSEPH, the venerable priesthood, and the deaconate in Christ, all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: For the President of the United States and all civil authorities, and for our armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (2)
Priest: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: For healthful seasons, for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (2)
Priest: For travelers by land, sea and air; for the sick and suffering; for captives and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (2)
Priest: Help us; save us; and have mercy upon us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary; (People: Most holy Theotokos save us.) with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To Thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto Thee are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
O LORD, I HAVE CRIED
Reader: (Psalm 140– In the tone of the first sticheron) O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me. Hear Thou me, O Lord. O Lord, I have cried out unto Thee, hear Thou me; give ear to the voice of my supplication when I cry out unto Thee. Hear Thou Me. O Lord.
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as the incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Hear Thou me, O Lord.
Chanter 1: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth and a protecting door about my lips.
Chanter 2: Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.
Chanter 1: With men that work iniquity, and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
Chanter 2: The just man shall correct me in mercy and shall reprove me, but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head.
Chanter 1: For my prayer also shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased, their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up.
Chanter 2: They shall hear my words for they are sweet. As when the thickness of the earth is broken upon the ground, their bones are scattered by the side of hell.
Chanter 1: But to Thee, O Lord, Lord are mine eyes. In Thee have I put my trust; take not away my soul.
Chanter 2: Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Chanter 1: Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.
Chanter 2: (Psalm 141) I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
Chanter 1: I poured out my supplication before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.
Chanter 2: When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.
Chanter 1: In the way wherein I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
Chanter 2: I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no one that would know me. Refuge failed me. No one cared for my soul.
Chanter 1: I cried unto Thee, O Lord; I said Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Chanter 2: Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low.
Chanter 1: Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
Verse (10): Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name.
Verse (9): The righteous shall wait for me until Thou recompense me.
Verse (8): (Psalm 129) Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Verse (7): Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Verse (6): If Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, Lord, who shall stand? for with Thee there is forgiveness
Sticheron from the Parakletike or the Menaion
Verse (5): Because of Thy name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Sticheron
Verse (4): From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
Sticheron
Verse (3): For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
Sticheron from the Menaion
Verse (2): Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
Sticheron
Verse (1): For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Sticheron
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Doxastichon
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion
GLADSOME LIGHT
Reader: (read) Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father: Heavenly, Holy, Blessed, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and behold the light of evening, we praise God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For meet it is at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God, and giver of life. Therefore, all the world doth glorify Thee.
THE EVENING PROKEIMENON
Priest or Reader: The evening prokeimenon!
(Tone 5) Save me, O God, by Thy Name, and judge me by Thy strength.
Verse: Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
THE EVENING PRAYER
People: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Master, make me to understand Thy statutes. Blessed art Thou, O Holy One, enlighten me by Thy statutes.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; O despise not the work of Thy hands. To Thee belongeth worship, to Thee belongeth praise, to Thee belongeth glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
THE LITANY OF SUPPLICATION
Priest: Let us complete our evening prayer unto the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy. (1)
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
People: Lord, have mercy. (2)
Priest: That the whole evening may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (1)
Priest: An angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (2)
Priest: Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offenses, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (1)
Priest: All things good and useful for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (2)
Priest: That we may end the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (1)
Priest: A Christian ending to our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good defense before the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.
People: Grant this, O Lord. (2)
Priest: Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
People: To Thee O Lord.
Priest: For thou art a good God who lovest man, and unto thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
Priest: Peace be to all.
People: And to thy spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads unto the Lord.
People: To thee, O Lord. (slowly and quietly)
Priest: O Lord our God, who didst bow the heavens and didst come down for the salvation of the race of man, look upon thy servants and upon thine inheritance. Unto thee, the fearful Judge who lovest man, have thy servants bowed their heads and subjected their necks, awaiting not help from man, but expecting thy mercy and looking for thy salvation. Keep them at all times, both during this present evening and during the approaching night, from every enemy, from every adverse operation of the Devil, and from vain thoughts and from evil imaginations. Blessed and glorified be the might of thy kingdom, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE APOSTICHA
Chant the Aposticha from the Parakletike.
CANTICLE OF SAINT SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER (Luke 2:29-32)
Reader: (read, or chanted in tone 6) Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.
If there is an additional service, such as a Canon or an Akathist, it is chanted at this time.
-TO BE CONTINUED-
The Prokeimenon!
20th June 2006, 03:48 PM
THE TRISAGION (Revelation 4:8, Isaiah 6:3)
People: Holy God; Holy mighty; Holy immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit, and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy Name. Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Priest: For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE APOLYTIKIA
Chant the Apolytikion of the commemoration and the Theotokion of the day in the same tone as the preceding Apolytikion.
LITANY OF FERVENT SUPPLICATION
Priest: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hearken and have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest: Again we pray for all pious and Orthodox Christians.
People: Ya, rub burham. (thrice) (Arabic)
Priest: Again we pray for our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, and for our father and Bishop JOSEPH.
.
People: Kyrie, eleison. (thrice) (Greek)
Priest: Again we pray for our brethren, the priests, the hieromonks, the hierodeacons, and for all our brotherhood in Christ.
People: Ghospodi, pomiluy. (thrice) (Slavonic)
Priest: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation and visitation and pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, (here the Priest inserts the names of many of the faithful) and all Orthodox Christians of true worship, who live and dwell in this community.
People: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Priest: Again we pray for the blessed and ever-memorable founders of this holy church and for the departed servants of God, (here the Priest inserts the names of the faithful who have fallen asleep in the Lord) and all our fathers and brethren, the Orthodox departed this life before us, who here and in all the world lie asleep in the Lord.
People: Ya, rub burham. (thrice) (Arabic)
Priest: Again we pray for those who bear fruit and do good works in this holy and revered temple, for those who labor and those who sing, and for the people present who await of thee great and rich mercy.
People: Kyrie, eleison. (thrice) (Greek)
Priest: For Thou art a merciful God who lovest man, and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Priest: Wisdom!
People: Father, bless.
Priest: Christ our God, the Existing One, is blessed always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
People: Amen. Preserve, O God, the holy Orthodox Faith and all Orthodox Christians unto ages of ages. Amen.
Priest: Most holy Theotokos, save us.
People: More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, thou who without corruption barest God the Word and art truly Theotokos: We magnify thee.
Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ, our God and our Hope, glory to Thee.
People: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Father, bless.
Priest: May Christ, our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother, of (saint of the day) whose memory we celebrate today, of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy upon us and save us, forasmuch as He is Good and loveth mankind. Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us, and save us.
People: Amen.
The Priest may now say a few words, after which the faithful come forward to venerate the Cross, and receive a blessing.
The Prokeimenon!
20th June 2006, 04:18 PM
Here's the variable hymns for wednesday June 21st (remember that the service will be in honor of the saints for June 22nd, and the translations are likely to vary quite a bit.)
On “O Lord, I have cried…”, 3 stichera of the holy Apostles:
Stichos: If Thou, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee there is forgiveness.
Thou, O Lord, hast enlightened the Apostles with the brightness of the Comforter and hast established them as lights that illumine the world with Thy knowledge, O Master: therefore we worship Thy great goodness.
Stichos: Because of Thy name have I waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word, my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Surrounding Thy flock with the prayers of the apostles as with a wall, O Lord, Thou dost protect it from the wiles of the enemy. And redeeming it with Thy precious blood, O merciful One, Thou hast freed it from the bondage of the stranger.
Stichos: From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch let Israel hope in the Lord.
O ye blessed Apostles, fervent defenders of the Trinity and intercessors for our souls, ye are precious stones of gleaming splendour in the diadem of the Church of Christ enlightening the world with the light of the knowledge of God.
Then the Stichera of the saint from the Menaion.
Stichos: For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall deliver Israel from all his iniquities.
What shall we call you, glorious one? Faithful bishop and holy teacher; support of the Orthodox and eye of the Church; beacon shining forth the light of understanding; glorious among martyrs, champion of truth; a great denouncer of falsehood! Pray that our souls may be saved!
Stichos: Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye peoples.
What shall we call you, holy hierarch? River flowing from the spiritual Eden, watering the earth with mystical streams; cup filled with a divine draught drowning the ranks of Arius, pillar of fire going before the new people by the grace of God! Pray that our souls may be saved!
Stichos: For His mercy is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
What shall I name you, Eusebius? Bestower of piety and destroyer of blasphemy; adornment of passion-bearers and joy of priests; sickle cutting down tares and gathering in the heavenly wheat, ever-flowing fountain of miracles, quenching the fever of infirmities! Pray that our souls may be saved!
Glory… Both now… Theotokion:
Hearken to the sighs of my contrite heart, O pure Virgin, and accept the uplifting of my hands, O Thou, who lovest mankind. Do not reject me, O Pure One, that by praising Thee in songs our race may be magnified.
At the Aposticha, the stichera of the holy Apostles:
Loving Thee with their whole heart, the apostles counted all things but dung that they might win Thee alone and for Thee they surrendered their bodies to torture: Therefore, being glorified, they pray for our souls.
Stichos: Unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, unto Thee that dwellest in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of the servants look unto the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He take pity on us.
Thou, O Lord, hast magnified Thy apostles on earth; and we now gather to glorify Thee in their memory: for their sake Thou grantest us healing and by their prayers Thou givest unto the world peace and great mercy.
Stichos: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for greatly are we filled with abasement. Greatly hath our soul been filled therewith; let reproach come upon them that prosper, and abasement upon the proud.
Martyricon: What excellency and what praise can we fittingly ascribe to the Saints? For they bowed their necks under the sword for Thy sake Who hast bowed the heavens and come down. They poured out their blood for Thee Who hast emptied Thyself; and taken the form of a servant. , Emulating Thy poverty, they humbled themselves unto death. By their prayers, have mercy upon us, O Lord, according to Thy compassion.’
Glory… Both now… Theotokion:
The Apostles, beholding God in the flesh, proclaimed Thee as Mother of God, the Word, as Bride and Virgin worthy of the heavenly Father, and Temple of the Holy Spirit: for in Thee dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Apolytikion
(Tone 4) You participated in the ways of the apostles, and were enthroned as their successor! You discovered action an entrance into vision, inspired one of God. Therefore directing the word of truth, you suffered for the faith to the shedding of your blood! Bishop and Martyr Eusebius pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved!
Glory… Both now… Theotokion:
We know the Word of the Father, even Christ our God, to be incarnate of thee, O Virgin Theotokos, O only pure one, O only blessed one. Wherefore, we magnify thee, praising thee unceasingly.