Polyeleos Feast
AT GREAT VESPERS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
Having torn asunder death’s dominion by Your own death,* You have granted life to mortals by Your glorious arising,* raising up the race of mankind by Your descent into Hades.* Wherefore, we chant to You a hymn of thanksgiving and praise,* as we celebrate the feast of Your light-bearing Resurrection on the third day,* during which the honoured mid-point has dawned upon us,* O Life-giver, Jesus, gracious Benefactor of our souls.
Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
Before Your venerable Cross and Passion,* for the people’s benefit You have wrought wondrous miracles.* And at the Mid-feast set by the Law, O almighty Saviour, as it is written,* You cried to all: Come to Me all you that thirst;* and partake of the divine and life-bearing waters.* For I shall grant streams of wisdom, strength, and life to all* who draw nigh to Me in faith,* since it was my good pleasure to assume the form of a man,* as the Lover of mankind.
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
Like one bedridden I lay infirm in my sins,* weakened in my noetic members, O greatly merciful Christ.* But since You willingly became a man in Your love for mankind,* now invisibly raise me up, as You did him who was paralyzed,* that I may profitably tread Your commandments’ divine paths, O Saviour,* who before Your Passion made clear to the Hebrew people,* through an abundance of miracles,* that as God, You willingly suffered in the flesh.
Tone 4
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
With the rod of grace, you drew men forth* from the deep of vanity, O right wondrous James,* obedient to the behest of your Teacher,* Who illumined your whole mind* and showed You forth as an apostle and an honoured and divine herald* of His unapproachable divinity, O all-blessed one.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
With the rod of grace, you drew men forth* from the deep of vanity, O right wondrous James,* obedient to the behest of your Teacher,* Who illumined your whole mind* and showed You forth as an apostle and an honoured and divine herald* of His unapproachable divinity, O all-blessed one.
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
The effulgence of the Spirit descended upon you in the guise of fire* and made of you, O blessed one, a habitation of God* who dispels the darkness of ungodliness with might* and enlightens the world with the radiance of your all-wise words,* O James, initiate of the mysteries, leader of the apostles,* who beheld Christ with your own eyes.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
The effulgence of the Spirit descended upon you in the guise of fire* and made of you, O blessed one, a habitation of God* who dispels the darkness of ungodliness with might* and enlightens the world with the radiance of your all-wise words,* O James, initiate of the mysteries, leader of the apostles,* who beheld Christ with your own eyes.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Illumining those who sleep in the darkness of ignorance* with the splendours of your preaching, O glorious James,* you showed them forth as children, by faith, of our Master and God,* Whose suffering and death you emulated;* and, as you are an all-wise herald of God and His true disciple,* you have a share in His glory.
Tone 8, Glory…
Come, let us all praise James with hymns of psalms:* the preacher of the mysteries of heaven and recounter of the Gospel;* for he has been shown to be a river of the noetic paradise,* watering the furrows of men’s souls with heavenly showers* and showing them to be fertile for Christ God* Who granted cleansing, enlightenment and great mercy* to all through his supplications.
Tone 2, Now…
When You came into the temple at Mid-feast, O Christ God,* You taught the people, saying:* He that believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.* And the Jews, together with the Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes,* gnashed their teeth, and said:* Who is this man that speaks blasphemies?* For they knew not that You are He who is glorified from before all ages,* together with the Father and the Spirit,* O our God, glory be to You.
Aposticha
Tone 8
O blessed James who beheld God,* when you heard the voice of the Word* you straightway abandoned your love for your father, and your desire to please him;* wherefore, forsaking the tumult of life, and traversing the noetic sea,* you troubled it with your teachings of piety* and with your heavenly radiance,* O you who are blessed of God.
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
O blessed James, who with your own eyes* beheld the Word, the Author of life,* pleasing the Father to things of come by your actions,* you have deprived of his primacy the most abominable Ishmael* who worships his belly as god,* and you have tripped him and shown him to be devoid of the Father’s protection,* having no share in His blessing and inheritance.
The heavens tell the glory of God, and the firmament declares the work of His hand.
You have now been appointed prince over all the earth, O glorious one,* as was written of you before,* for you were a disciple of Him Who created all things;* and by your steadfast zeal and invincible boldness* you endured to be put to death, O blessed one,* the first slain among the honoured company of the twelve disciple.
Tone 1, Glory…
You followed after Christ, O godly James, and despised the world,* hiding His teachings in your treasury,* and were shown to be His apostle.* Wherefore, going to the nations, with the commandments of the Saviour* you enlightened souls benighted by deception and the passions,* that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
Tone 3, Now…
At Mid-feast we glorify Him who has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.* In the midst of two thieves did Life hang upon a Tree;* He was silent to the one that blasphemed,* but to the other who believed, He cried aloud saying:* Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.* He descended into the grave, despoiled Hades,* and arose on the third day, saving our souls.
Troparia, Tone 3
Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!
AT FESTAL MATINS ON THURSDAY MORNING
After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be our God… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.
Paschal Troparion
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Hexapsalm
Great Litany
God the Lord
Troparia, Tone 8
At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life. (2)
Glory… Tone 3
Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Now… Tone 8
At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Fishing for reason-endowed fish with the net of divine words*, you bring the first-fruits thereof to our God,* and desiring to clothe yourself in the wounds of God,* you show yourself to be an emulator of His suffering.* Wherefore as is meet, assembling, we honour your most festive memory, O glorious apostle,* and cry out to you together:* entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of sins to those who honour your holy memory with love.
Tone 3, Glory… Now…
The prophets proclaimed, the apostles taught, * and the martyrs confessed, * and we rightly believed you to be the Theotokos. * Therefore, we also magnify * your ineffable child-birth.
Psalter Reading
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 4
As the Sun of righteousness* Christ emitted you to enlighten the whole earth, O glorious apostle James,* with your godly supplications* and your divine and never waning light* you illumine and enlighten all who celebrate your holy memory with faith.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
Standing in the temple’s court * celebrating the sacred Mid-feast, * You cry aloud: Let him who thirsts * come to Me and drink. * For he that drinks my divine water, * shall issue forth from within the streams of My teachings, * and whosoever believeth in me, * as One sent from the Divine Father, * shall be glorified with Me. * Wherefore we cry to You: * Glory be to You, O Christ God, * for out of Your love for mankind, * You have abundantly poured forth Your waters to Your servants.
Polyeleos
Magnification
We extol you,* O James, apostle of Christ,* and we honour the pangs and labours* with which you struggled in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.
verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.
Glory… Now…
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to You, O God! (3)
Small Litany
Sessional Hymn, Tone 8
Filled with rays of light from on high and illumined with divine splendour, O apostle James, you behold the Creator and Lord transfigured on Mount Tabor and was deemed worthy to hear the voice of the Father. Wherefore, you have been granted great rewards as an eye-witness and disciple of grace, and a beholder of the mysteries of God. Entreat Christ God, that He grant remission of offenses to those who with love honour your holy memory.
Gradual Hymns, Tone 4
Antiphon 1
From my youth do many passions war against me;* but do You Yourself defend* and save me, O my Saviour.
You haters of Sion shall be shamed by the Lord;* for like grass, by the fire* shall you be withered.
Glory… Now…
In the Holy Spirit, every soul is quickened,* and, through cleansing, is exalted* and made radiant* by the Triple Unity in a hidden sacred manner.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.
verse: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.
Let everything that lives
Gospel
John 21:15-25
Psalm 50
Verses at Psalm 50
Tone 6, Glory…
Through the intercession of the holy apostles,* O Merciful One,* remit our many sins.
Now…
Through the intercession of the Mother of God,* O Merciful One,* remit our many sins.
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your kindness. In Your compassion blot out my offense.
You followed after Christ, O godly James,* and despising the world, hid His teachings in your heart, and thus you were revealed to be His apostle.* Wherefore, going out to the nations, with the commandments of the Saviour* you enlightened souls darkened by deception and the passions,* that they might believe in the consubstantial Trinity.
Canon (abbreviated)
One may also chant only selected Odes, typically Odes 1, 3, 6, (8), and 9, with their Troparia, if necessary.
Ode 1
Irmos: Through the deep of the Red Sea, * marched dry-shod Israel of old, * and by Moses’ outstretched hands, * raised in the form of a cross, * the power of Amalek was routed in the wilderness.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
The great benefactions and gifts, the graces and divine illuminations of Your incomprehensible and divine Incarnation, do You abundantly pour forth and shine upon us, O Master.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
At Mid-feast You have come, O Christ, manifestly sending forth the radiant flashes of Your Godhead; for You are the joyous Festival of the saved and the Cause of our salvation.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
O blessed one, who like a skilful fisherman have drawn men forth from the deep of transgressions with your net, illumine my soul with radiant splendours, and grant that I may praise your memory as is meet, O divinely revealed disciple James.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
The pre-eternal and all-perfect God, Who with the Father is equally beginningless, appeared on earth incarnate as a man, and showed you forth, O blessed one, as His fellow-labourer in grace and His most wise servant, who are strengthened by His power.
Glory… Now…
The Angel of Great Counsel, having assumed flesh, manifested Himself to the world through the Virgin Mother, and showed you forth, O father James, as a disciple adorned with virtues, a divine herald proclaiming His words.
Katavasia: You made the sea a wall; * You overwhelmed boastful Pharaoh in the deep * together with his chariots. * You saved the people dry-shod, O Lord, * and led them forth to a mountain of sanctification, as they cried: * We shall sing a song of victory to You, our God, * for You have been glorified.
Ode 3
Irmos: Your Church, O Christ, rejoices in You crying aloud: * You, O Lord, are my strength, * my refuge and foundation.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
You open to the Church the springs of life-creating waters, O Good One, and cry: If any zealous man thirst, let him come and drink.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
You say plainly that You wouldst be lifted up from earth to Heaven, and You promise to send the Holy Spirit from thence.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
The compelling breath of the Comforter from on high, setting you afire, revealed you to be a wise herald of God, openly proclaiming the mighty works of the incarnate Word, Whom you see with your own eyes.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Launching you into the hearts of the enemies like a choice arrow sharpened by the Word, He cut in half the souls of the adversary, O most wise James, initiate of the mysteries of God, laying hold of them as plunder.
Glory… Now…
Manifestly adorned with your sacred life and your splendid kinship with God, O all blessed one, you were shown to be His companion; for from childhood you dwell with the Word.
Katavasia: My heart is established in the Lord, * my horn is exalted in my God, * my mouth is enlarged against mine enemies, * and I rejoice in Your salvation.
Small Litany
Kontakion of Mid-Pentecost, Tone 4
At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Ikos
With the streams of Your Blood do You Water my soul, which is grown dry and barren because of mine iniquities and offences, and show it forth to be fruitful in virtues. For You tell all to draw nigh You, O all-holy Word of God, and to draw forth the water of incorruption, which is living and which washes away the sins of those who praise Your glorious and divine arising. To them that know You as God, O Good One, grant from on high the strength of the Spirit, which verily was borne by Your disciples, for You are truly the Well-spring of life for all.
Sessional Hymn, Tone 2
The glorious apostle fished the nations, teaching the ends of the earth to worship You O Christ God, together with the Father and the Spirit. For his sake establish Your Church and send down Your blessings upon the faithful, O only Merciful Lover of mankind.
Ode 4
Irmos: Beholding You, the Sun of righteousness, * lifted up upon the cross, * the Church now stands arrayed and does worthily cry aloud: * Glory to Your power, O Lord!
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Having shattered the gates of death by Your might, You have made known the ways of life; and You open the gates of immortality to them that cry with faith: Glory be to Your power, O Lord.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Since You Who are beginningless do have in the grasp of Your hand the beginning of all things, and do hold fast their middle and final end as well, You stand in the midst and cry aloud: Come, O ye of godly mind; enjoy the divine gifts.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Called as a preacher of Christ, O divine James, you quickly follow Him, spurning the love of your father and trading transitory things for those which are eternal. Wherefore, you have been granted an ineffable heavenly inheritance, O blessed and ever-memorable one, O your ardent desire for Christ the Master!
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Illumined by His radiance, your desire for Him was so great that you was transfigured and revealed to all as a secondary luminary, enlightened by the effulgence and glory of the primal Light, O most honoured and blessed James.
Glory… Now…
You are the boast of the faithful, having never known wedlock, you are our intercessor, the refuge of Christians, their rampart and haven. You bear our entreaties to your Son, O all-immaculate one, saving from tribulations those who with faith and love acknowledge you to be the pure Theotokos.
Katavasia: With noetic eyes the Prophet Habbakuk * foresaw Your coming, O Lord; * wherefore he cried aloud: * “God shall come out of Theman!” Glory to Your power! * Glory to Your condescension!
Ode 5
Irmos: You, O Lord, who came into the world, * are my light, * a holy light turning from the darkness of ignorance * those who sing Your praises in faith.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Having reached the middle of the divine feasts, let us be godly-wise and zealously adorn ourselves with the perfection of divine virtue.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
How truly sacred is this present feast; for it marks the mid-point of the great feasts and does shine forth from both.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Aflame with zeal like a new Elijah, you desire to burn up those who would not listen to your preaching, O glorious one; yet He Who desires loving-kindness restrained you, teaching you gracious meekness.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Winged with the loftiest virtues, you desire the throne of the Master out of love for higher things, O most wise one, that entering therein you mayest hold fast principle things learned therein, not for the sake of vain glory, but to gaze forth in its midst.
Glory… Now…
The radiant cloud of the Word, Who shone forth as God in glory, covered you on Mount Tabor, O blessed James; and you were deemed worthy to hear the voice of the Father declaring His Sonship.
Katavasia: O Lord our God, bestow Your peace upon us; * O Lord our God, take us for Your possession; * O Lord, besides You we know none other: * and we call upon Your Name.
Ode 6
Irmos: The church cries out to You O Lord, * “I will sacrifice to You with a voice of praise * having been cleansed of the blood of the demons’ * by the blood that for mercy’s sake flowed from Your side.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
The mid-point of Pentecost has come this day. By the former feast it is illumined with the most divine radiance of the divine Pascha, and by the latter feast it is made to shine with the grace of the Comforter.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
While standing in the temple, O Christ, You spoke to the assemblies of the Jews and reveal Your own glory, thereby manifesting Your consubstantiality with the Father.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Unceasingly pouring forth streams of healings as from a well-spring, and piously emitting the enlightenment of doctrine, O wise and most blessed one, you do illumine the souls who approach you with love and devotion.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
The Master found you to be a vessel containing his rich and honoured benefactions, and He pours forth as gifts mysteries which pass understanding, O servant of everlasting life.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Theotokos who have given birth to the Abyss of compassions, save my soul from the sorrows of life and open to me the gates of spiritual joy; for on you have I set mine only hope.
Katavasia: The billows of life trouble me like the waters of the sea, * O Lover of Mankind. * Wherefore, like Jonah I cry to You, O Word: * Raise up my life from corruption, O compassionate Lord.
Small Litany
Kontakion of the Apostle, Tone 2:
When you heard God’s voice calling out to you,* you spurned the love of your father* and fled to Christ with your kinsman, O glorious James.* With him you were favoured to see the Lord’s divine transfiguration.
Ikos
Dwelling with your brother in the mansions of heaven, by your supplications drive away the Hagarenes who trample upon holy things with vile and unclean feet; and, and cutting down the devisings of the tyrants, grant freedom to those of us now held captive because of the multitude of our offenses, that, assembling together, we may behold the divine transfiguration of the Lord.
Ode 7
Irmos: In the Persian furnace the youths and descendants of Abraham, * burning with a love of piety rather than by a flame of fire, * cried aloud saying: * Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Having dispelled the power of death by Your might, O Saviour, You have made known to all mankind the path of life. With thankfulness they cry to You: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Beholding You bearing flesh, the assemblies of the Hebrew people did not recognize You, O Word of God; but we sing to You: Blessed are You in the temple of Your glory, O Lord.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
You were shown to be illumined with the splendour of the vision of God, O James; wherefore, Christ the Benefactor has adorned you with the crown of the kingdom, and you chant with the angels: O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Behold, the great Bestower has fulfilled the promises He made to you: you have been lifted up to Him by your emulation of His sufferings. And, standing before Him now, you cry out, rejoicing: O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!
Glory… Now…
We preach Him Who was incarnate of you, as having two natures, but not two hypostases O Master. And, reconciled with God because of you, we depict Him in the flesh and venerate the image of His countenance.
Katavasia: The Chaldean furnace, burning with fire, * was bedewed by the Spirit * through the presence of God; * and the children chanted: * O God of our fathers, Blessed are You!
Ode 8
Irmos: Having spread his hands, Daniel closed the lions’ jaws * in their den; * while the zealously pious youths, * girded with virtue, * quenched the power of the fire and cried aloud: * Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Having arisen from the grave as one comely, and adorned with the glory of the Godhead, O Lord, You appear to Your Apostles and promise to send the power of the Spirit to those who cry aloud: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
In a manner befitting You, since You as God are the Supreme Author of life, You slay Hades and well forth eternal life to all, wherefore the graces of these radiant days now constitute a most clear image of the everlasting life of those who cry: Bless ye the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Following Christ Who has called you, you acquire the promise of Abraham, O you who see God; for you were His most radiant minister, chanting to your Creator and Deliverer: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Your proclamation of the image of the law was mightier than the sound of thunder; for throughout all the world you thunder Christ, our Creator and Deliverer, chanting: Ye children bless; ye priests hymn; ye people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Glory… Now…
The tongues of orators are unable to hymn you, O Theotokos Mary, Bride of God; for you, O pure Maiden, gave birth to God Who is over all, the Creator and Deliverer, to Whom we cry: Ye children bless; O you priests hymn; O you people supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!
Katavasia: Seated upon the throne of glory, * and unceasingly glorified as God, * O ye angels and heavens bless, ** hymn and supremely exalt Him throughout all ages!.
The Song of the Theotokos (Magnificat) is sung.
Ode 9
Irmos: A cornerstone not cut by hand O Virgin, * was cut from you the unhewn mountain: * even Christ, Who has joined together the disparate natures; * therefore rejoicing we magnify you, * O Theotokos.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
Since we have learned from Christ a new and unprecedented way of life, let us all be especially diligent to preserve it until the end, that We may enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Glory be to You our God, Glory to You.
O Life-Giving Saviour, You clothe my mortal nature with the garment of immortality and the grace of incorruption, and raise it up together with Yourself. You lead it to the Father, having dispelled my warfare of many years.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
The malefactors and murderers could not bear the sight of you, as before they could not stand to look upon your Master; for, denouncing them for their works, you rebuke them by laying down your life. And they slew you with the sword, making you an emulator of Christ Who was crucified in the flesh for mankind, O divinely eloquent and most blessed one.
Holy apostle James, pray to God for us!
Tortured by the sword of heaven, Herod died afflicted with sores, for the wretched one was not content to slay Your servants and disciples, whom You named apostles, O Word. Wherefore, marvelling at Your righteous providence, we magnify You.
Glory… Now…
O Virgin Mother of God, you were revealed to be her who gave birth to God the Word in the flesh, Whom the Father generated from His own heart before time began, in that He is good. Him Whom we now understand as transcending flesh, even though He was clothed in a body.
Katavasia: Virginity is alien to mothers and child-bearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.
Small Litany
Hymn of Light
Let us all hymn James, son of Zebedee, for he ascended Mount Tabor with Christ and beheld the divine transfiguration; and, having descended, he preached with Peter and James to all the four corners of the earth.
Glory… Now…
O You Who has the never-emptying wine-bowl of gifts, * grant that I may draw water for remission of my sins. * For with great thirst am I taken, * O only lovingly compassionate One.
Praises
Stichera on the Praises, Tone 3
To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.
In Your light, O Master and Lover of mankind, * shall we see light. * For You rose from the dead, * granting salvation to the race of man, * therefore all creation glorifies You, the only sinless one; * have mercy on us.
Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.
Having blamelessly kept the commandments of Christ, * O holy Apostles, * freely you received, freely you give, * healing the sufferings of our souls and bodies. * Wherefore, since you have boldness, * entreat Him that our souls find mercy.
Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.
Having fought the good fight, * you shine forth in the world like luminaries * even after death, O holy Martyrs. * Wherefore, seeing you have boldness, * entreat Christ that our souls find mercy.
Tone 8
O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;
O blessed James the God-seer, * when you heard the voice of the Word * you straightway abandoned your love for your father* and your desire to please him; * wherefore, forsaking the tumult of life, * and traversing the noetic sea, * you troubled it with your teachings of piety * and with your heavenly radiance, * O you who are blessed of God.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.
O blessed James, who with your own eyes * beheld the Word, the Author of life, * pleasing the Father of things to come by your actions, * you have deprived of his primacy the most abominable Ishmael * who worships his belly as god, * and you have tripped him and shown him to be devoid of the Father’s protection, * having no share in His blessing and inheritance.
O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.
You have now been appointed prince over all the earth, O glorious one, * as was written of you before, * for you were a disciple of Him Who created all things; * and by you steadfast zeal and invincible boldness * you endured to be put to death, O blessed one, * the first slain among the honoured company * of the twelve disciples.
Glory… Tone 6
O fisher of all the world,* holy disciple, labourer of the Savior, and recounter of His sufferings;* having travelled around creation with faith,* gathered in the deluded nations and brought them to God,* you were brought up into the heavens.* Wherefore, standing before the Judge,* pray that we be delivered from our iniquities* and find salvation from torment on the day of judgment.
Now… Tone 4
O Lord, at Mid-feast before enduring Your precious Cross, * You went up into the temple, * boldly teaching the Jews concerning the things that were written by You * in the books of Moses and the Law. * And being astonished at the ineffable mystery of You wisdom, * they maliciously meditated within themselves to plot against You: * How does this man know letters, having never learned? * not knowing that You are the Saviour of our souls.
Great Doxology
Trisagion Prayers
Troparia, Tone 3
Learning from Peter the chief apostle* you too became an apostle of Christ,* and shone on various lands like the sun.* O blessed one, adornment of Alexandrians,* through you Egypt was freed from deceit.* For you are a pillar of light for the Church* enlightening all with your teaching of the Good News.* Therefore, we feast your memorial, O Mark, divinely inspired.* Ask God whom you preached to all to grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Tone 8, Glory… Now…
At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Insistent Litany
Litany of Supplication
Great Dismissal
AT DIVINE LITURGY ON THURSDAY MORNING
After the priest has exclaimed, Blessed be the Kingdom… and the people have responded, Amen, the clergy sing the Paschal Troparion once and the people repeat it. Then, the clergy sing the first half, and the people conclude it.
Paschal Troparion
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: At the mid-point of the Feast, O Saviour,* water my thirsty soul with streams of true godliness;* for You cried out to all: Let any who thirst, come to Me and drink.* O Source of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!
Troparion, Tone 3: O James, worthy of all praise,* chosen apostle of Christ and only brother of the beloved theologian.* Ask God to bestow on those who hymn you forgiveness of sins* and to grant our souls great mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 2: When you heard God’s voice calling out to you,* you spurned the love of your father* and fled to Christ with your kinsman, O glorious James.* With him you were favoured to see the Lord’s divine transfiguration.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: At the mid-point of the Feast according to the Law,* Maker of all things and Master,* You said to those present, O Christ God:* Come, and draw the water of immortality.* And so we fall before You crying out with faith: Grant us Your mercies , for You are the source of our life.
Prokeimenon, Tone 3
Great is our Lord, and great is His strength;* and of His knowledge there is no end.
verse: Praise the Lord, for a psalm is good; may praise be sweet to Him. (Psalm 146:5,1)
Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Epistle
Acts 10:34-43; Acts 12:1-11
Alleluia, Tone 1
verse: Remember Your congregation which You acquired from the beginning.
verse: But God is our king before the ages; He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. (Psalm 73:2,12)
verse: The heavens shall confess our wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the church of the saints.
Gospel
John 8:12-20; Luke 5:1-11
Hymn to the Theotokos
Virginity is alien to mothers and child-bearing is foreign to virgins; yet in you, O Mother of God, both of them came together. Therefore, we and all the nations of the earth without ceasing magnify you.
Communion Hymn
Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood* abide in Me and I in them, says the Lord.* Their utterance has gone forth into all the earth,* and their words to the ends of the world.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia.
Instead of Blessed is He Who comes… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of We have seen the true light… we sing:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of May our mouths be filled… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
Instead of Blessed be the name of the Lord… we sing three times:
Christ is risen from the dead,* trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs* giving life.
At the dismissal, instead of Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. we chant:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,* and to those in the tombs giving life.
After the final Amen, the Troparion Christ is risen is sung as at the beginning of the Liturgy, but with the addition:
And to us He has granted life eternal;* we bow down before His resurrection on the third day.