AT VESPERS ON SUNDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

There are no psalms appointed this evening.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4

If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.

The pre-eternal Mind has by divine communion* fashioned of you a secondary luminary* who enlightens the whole universe, O Gabriel,* and reveals to us the truly great and divine mystery which was from of old:* of Him who became incarnate in the Virgin’s womb* and, though incorporeal, became man,* that He might save mankind.

I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.

Standing before the throne of the three-Sunned Godhead,* and shining richly with the divine splendours* which unceasingly emanate therefrom,* deliver from the gloom of the passions* we who with joy form a chorus on earth* and praise you, O Gabriel, supreme commander;* and illumine us with enlightenment, O intercessor for our souls.

From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.

Cast down the insolence of the Hagarenes* who at times descend upon your flock;* heal the schisms of the Church;* still the tempest of our boundless temptations;* and from misfortunes and evil circumstances deliver us* who honour thee with love and have recourse to your protection,* O Gabriel, supreme commander, intercessor for our souls.

Tone 8

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

O our God-bearing father Stephen,* having splendidly strengthened your mind with wisdom divine,* with love of wisdom you restrained all the power of the soul with righteousness,* your wrath with manliness, and your desire with chastity;* and you made your soul a comely chariot of the virtues;* and, seated thereon, you ascended, rejoicing,* to the heights, O glorious one.

Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.

O divinely eloquent father Stephen,* you fortified your mind with theology,* bearing your wrath as a spear aimed at the blasphemous heretics,* O venerable and blessed one,* and you yearned for heavenly sustenance.* And, vouchsafed to partake thereof, O glorious one,* you stood before the throne of the King and Ruler of all.

Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.

O divinely eloquent father Stephen,* having hedged your mind all round with temperance,* you ascended on high to the Cause of all things;* you quelled the turmoil of the world and stilled the tumult thereof;* you were made steadfast in purity of mind, a most wise one,* by Him who is truly the ultimate Desire,* O divinely wise and venerable one.

Tone 6, Glory…

Rejoice with us, O all you ranks of the angels,* for your commander and our helper, the great archangel*, appearing today in his most honoured temple, bestows sanctification.* Wherefore, raising hymnody as is meet, we cry out to him:* protect us with the shelter of your wings, O great archangel Gabriel.

Now…

О Theotokos, who at the sound of the archangel’s voice* conceived in your womb the Word,* who with the Father and the Spirit is equally beginningless,* you have been revealed to be more exalted than the cherubim, seraphim, and thrones.

Aposticha

Tone 6

At Your fearful Coming, O Christ,* may we not hear the words: I know you not.* For though, O Saviour, we have put our trust in You,* from negligence we have not kept not Your commandments;* yet we entreat You, spare our souls.

I have lifted up my eyes to You enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord our God until He has mercy on us.

I have no repentance and I have no tears.* Therefore I entreat You, O Christ God:* before the end is here* turn me back and grant me compunction,* that I may be delivered from the torments of Hades.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we have been filled with shame; our soul is all too full of the mockery of the rich, of the contempt of the proud.

Your martyrs did not deny You, О Lord,* nor did they depart from Your commandments.* By their prayers have mercy on us.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

As captain, champion and foremost leader of the angels, O supreme commander,* from all want and tribulation, infirmity and grievous offenses* free those who hymn you with faith and entreat you, O glorious one,* who, as you are immaterial, clearly behold the Immaterial One* and are illumined with the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory.* For in His love for mankind He received flesh for our sake from the Virgin,* desiring to save our race.

Troparia

Tone 4

Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”

Glory… Now…

To the One who was reared in the Temple,* close to the Holy of Holies,* and who was full of faith, wisdom, and perfect virginity,* Gabriel, the captain and leader,* offered esteem and greetings from heaven when he said:* Rejoice, O blessed One! Rejoice, O glorified One!* The Lord is with you.

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON MONDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* “Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4

He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.

verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, you are very great (Psalm 103:4,1)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 9:13-18

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers.

verse: For He spoke, and they came into being; He commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2,5)

Gospel

Matthew 16:1-6

Communion Hymn

He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)