Saint with Six Stichera.

VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

The appointed psalms are chanted.

At Psalm 140

Tone 4, Podoben “As valiant among the martyrs…”

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

O Michael, supreme commander,* shown forth as a most radiant intercessor before the three-Sunned Godhead,* you cry out, rejoicing with the heavenly hosts:* Holy are You, O Father!* Holy are You, O co-unoriginate Son!* Holy are You also, O Holy Spirit!* One glory, one Kingdom and nature,* one Godhead and power!

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

O Michael, supreme commander,* shown forth as a most radiant intercessor before the three-Sunned Godhead,* you cry out, rejoicing with the heavenly hosts:* Holy are You, O Father!* Holy are You, O co-unoriginate Son!* Holy are You also, O Holy Spirit!* One glory, one Kingdom and nature,* one Godhead and power!

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

Your aspect is fiery, and your beauty wondrous, O Michael, first among angels,* for in your immaterial nature you transcend the ends of the earth,* fulfilling the commandments of the Creator of all,* known in the power of your might, making your church a wellspring of healings,* revered in your holy name.

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

Your aspect is fiery, and your beauty wondrous, O Michael, first among angels,* for in your immaterial nature you transcend the ends of the earth,* fulfilling the commandments of the Creator of all,* known in the power of your might, making your church a wellspring of healings,* revered in your holy name.

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

O You who, as it is written, make Your angels spirits and Your ministers a flame of fire:* amid the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,* You have shown forth as preeminent Michael, the supreme commander,* who obeys Your behest, O Word,* and with fear utters the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.

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

O You who, as it is written, make Your angels spirits and Your ministers a flame of fire:* amid the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,* You have shown forth as preeminent Michael, the supreme commander,* who obeys Your behest, O Word,* and with fear utters the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.

Tone 6, Glory…

Rejoice with us, all you angelic legions,* for the great supreme commander, your superior and our intercessor,* appearing most wondrously this day in his honoured temple, sanctifies it.* Therefore, chanting as is meet, let us cry aloud to him:* Cover us with the shelter of your wings, O Michael, greatest of the archangels!

Tone 3, Now…

O Lady most honourable,* how could we but be rapt in wonder* at your giving birth to the Incarnate God* who, without a mother, was born of a Father before all ages?* You gave Him birth in the flesh without a father,* without a man’s instrumentality.* He is God and man whose two natures are intact,* neither one losing any of its properties.* Therefore, O Virgin Mother,* intercede with Him to save the souls* of those who believe and profess in true faith* that you are the Mother of God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

O God, You are my defender* and Your mercy goes before me.

verse: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; save me from those who rise up against me.

Aposticha

Tone 3

Made steadfast by faith, strengthened by hope,* and spiritually united by the love of Your Cross, О Lord,* Your martyrs put an end to the tyranny of the enemy and have received crowns;* and with the incorporeal ones they pray on behalf of our souls.

Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and have taken to Yourslelf, О Lord,

All things human, which endure not after death, are vain.* Our wealth will not remain, our glory will not go with us upon the way:* for when death comes, all these things will fade away.* Therefore let us cry to Christ the immortal King:* Grant rest to our departed brethren* and grant them to dwell with the joyous.

Their souls shall dwell* amid good things.

O race of mankind, why do you trouble yourself in vain?* The path on which you run is short.* Our life is but smoke, vapour, ashes and dust;* it appears but briefly, and then vanishes.* Therefore let us cry to Christ the immortal King:* Grant rest to our departed brethren* and grant them to dwell with the joyous.

Tone 8, Glory… Now…

O supreme commander, as general, champion, and chief of the angels,* from all want and grief, from afflictions and grievous sins* free them that hymn and beseech you with faith, O glorious one,* for you are manifestly immaterial, beholding the Immaterial One,* illumined with the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory.* For in His love for mankind He took flesh of the Virgin for our sake,* wishing to save the human race.

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… Now…

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created,* and saved our souls from death.

DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY 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. (Psalm 103:4)

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

Epistle

1 Corinthians 2:6-9

Alleluia, Tone 5

verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers (Psalm 148:2)

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

Gospel

Matthew 22:15-22

Communion Hymn

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