VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
Kathisma Reading
The appointed psalms are chanted.
At Psalm 140
Tone 4, Podoben “Called from on high…”
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
You are the divine mediator between the old and new testaments,* the prophet and forerunner,* an angel in the flesh, the denouncer of lawlessness,* offspring of the womb of a barren woman,* a mouth breathing fire:* You upbraided Herod who committed iniquity.* Unable to endure your denunciation,* he commanded that your head be cut off!* It was brought in on a platter;* but like food of abstinence and divine delight,* it continued to denounce the adulterer!
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Incited by her evil mother,* the depraved daughter asked for your all-glorious head,* the head that is cherished by the angels!* For she was unable to endure your denunciation.* Therefore, bearing it on a platter and dancing as she carried it,* she turned the joy of those at the banquet into lamentation.* Yet you continued to denounce the evil of adultery, blessed one.* Entreat Christ that our souls may be saved!
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Made foolish by drunkenness,* Herod was carried away by adultery and voices carolling in song!* In fulfilment of his unrighteous oath,* he caused your murder, righteous and glorious prophet.* But your death openly announced immortality to those who had died before,* for you became a preacher and herald for those in hell,* proclaiming the saving coming of Christ our God!* Entreat Him that He may save and enlighten our souls!
Tone 1, Podoben “O most lauded martyrs…”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Most blessed Alexander,* you were a shepherd of the Church;* a champion of orthodoxy wisely casting down the Arian heresy!* You prayed with supplications, all-wise and glorious one,* that his wickedness be cast out of the Church!* Therefore, together we honour you!
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Honourable John,* you disdained the corruption of the flesh,* and in your abstinence and faith, vigilance and confession,* you were found to be an earthly angel and heavenly man!* Entreat Christ that He may grant our souls great mercy!
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
You truly submitted to the divine teachings of your namesake!* You hastened to the heights of the virtues,* as to the third heaven, glorious one!* You heard the ineffable and divine words of the Spirit!* As an unshakable foundation of the Orthodox,* by your prayers may the Saviour be merciful to us!
Tone 6, Glory…
Again Herodias rages insanely, again is she vexed.* O what deceitful dancing, what a feast of deception!* The Baptist is beheaded, and Herod is troubled.* Through the supplications of Your forerunner, O Lord,* grant peace to our souls.
Tone 2, Now…
O Virgin, the shadow of the Law passed away* with the realization of grace.* For as the bush had burned without being consumed,* so you gave birth while a virgin* and you remained a virgin.* Instead of the pillar of fire there rose the Sun of Justice.* Instead of Moses, Christ God came forth,* the Saviour of our souls.
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 2
O you saints great is the glory,* that you have gained through your faith.* For not only by your sufferings were you victorious over the enemy;* but even after death, as physicians of body and soul,* you drive out evil spirits and bring healing to the infirm.* Intercede before the Lord,* that mercy be granted to our souls.
Blessed are they whom You have chosen* and taken to Yourself, О Lord
As a flower withers and a dream passes away,* so does the flesh of each man dissipate upon death.* But at the sound of the trumpet* all the dead as if in an earthquake shall rise up again to meet You, O Christ our God.* Grant then, O Master, to all Your servants* whom You have taken from us,* to eternally dwell in the tabernacles of Your saints.
Their souls shall dwell* amid good things.
Woe is me! How great a struggle does the soul endure at its parting from the body.* Woe is me! How many tears does it shed,* but there is no one to take pity.* Turning its eyes to the angels, it supplicates in vain;* stretching out its hands to men, it finds none to help.* Therefore, my beloved brethren,* reflecting upon the shortness of our life,* let us ask Christ to grant rest to the departed* and to our souls great mercy.
Tone 2, Glory… Now…
Save from misfortunes, your servants, O Virgin Theotokos,* for after God it is to you that we flee,* as to an impregnable rampart and protection.
Troparia
Tone 4
God of our fathers, You always treat us fairly.* Deprive us not of Your mercy,** but by their prayers direct our lives in peace
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: God of our fathers, You always treat us fairly.* Deprive us not of Your mercy,* but by their prayers direct our lives in peace.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 8: As teachers of virtue and the adornment of hierarchs,* the church sings your praises:* By your prayers grant to those who venerate you with love* the achievement of virtues and deliverance from temptations,* for you are invincible.
Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; he has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)
Gospel
Matthew 20:29-34
Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)