Great Doxology.
VESPERS ON FRIDAY EVENING
At Psalm 140
Tone 6
If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
In goodly fashion doth the old law mandate that dedications be honored, and all the more should the new law also be honored with dedications; for the islands are made new for God, as saith Isaiah, by which we should understand the Churches now built by the nations, which receive a firm foundation from God.
I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
Wherefore, let us spiritually celebrate these present festivities. Be ye made new, O brethren, and, having put away the old man, live ye in newness of life, bridling all things from whence death cometh; let us chastise all our members, hating every evil fruit of the tree, and keeping this carefully in mind, let us avoid our ancient errors, that man may thus be restored. Therefore, the day of dedication is honored.
From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
The composition of Anatolius: Thou didst set up Thy Church as a tower of strength, O Christ, Thou pre-eternal Word, for Thou didst found it upon the rock of the Faith. Wherefore, it abideth unshakable forever, having Thee Who, for its sake, immutably became man in latter times. Wherefore, giving thanks, we hymn Thee, saying: Thou art our King from before time began, and forever, and still yet: Glory be to Thee!
Tone 4, Podoben “You have given a sign…”
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Beholding thy good works * and thy divine supplications, * O Cornelius, * Christ sent a holy angel unto thee * to enlighten thee wholly, * and the foremost of the sacred apostles, * who renewed thee with water and the Spirit * with all thy household, O right glorious one, * teaching thee sublime things through the grace of the Spirit.
Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
Anointed with the oil of the priesthood, * thou didst hasten to announce to all lands * the preaching of salvation, * uprooting the thorns of falsehood, O divinely wise one, * and planting the true doctrine in men’s souls through the Spirit. * Wherefore, in gladness, O Cornelius, * we bless thee * as a God-pleasing hierarch * and an invincible martyr.
Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
Following the character of thy goodness, * the foolish were shown to be wise; * and, having died and taken up thine abode in the grace * according to the law of nature, * thou makest it a well-spring of many wonders, * O wise Cornelius, * healing the sick * and dispelling evil spirits through the Holy Spirit, * O divinely inspired one.
Tone 6, Glory…
Celebrating the memory of the dedication, O Lord, and glorifying Thee, the Bestower of holiness, we pray: Let the senses of our souls be hallowed through the supplications of the glorious passion-bearers, O Good and Almighty One.
Tone 4, Now…
O Mother of God, because of You* David the Prophet became an ancestor of God;* he foretold and sang a joyous hymn of praise* and cried out to Him who worked wonders in you:* “The Queen stood at your right hand.”* God revealed you as a life-giving mother,* when He chose to be incarnate of you without a father.* He renewed in man His image* which the passions had corrupted.* He found the lost sheep in the mountains,* carried it on His shoulders,* offered it to the Father,* generously numbered it among the powers of heaven,* and saved the whole world, since He is Christ of great and rich mercy.
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.
Readings
(1) 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; (2) Proverbs 3:19-23; (3) Proverbs 9:1-11
Aposticha
Aposticha
Tone 5
Rejoice, O life-bearing Cross, invincible victory of piety, gate of paradise, confirmation of the faithful, rampart of the Church, whereby corruption hath been destroyed and abolished, and the power of death hath been trampled down, and we have been raised up from earth to the heavens, O invincible weapon, opponent of the demons, glory of the martyrs, true adornment of the venerable, haven of salvation, grant the world great mercy.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship the footstool of His feet; for it is holy.
Rejoice, O Cross of the Lord, whereby mankind hath been released from the curse, thou ensign of joy, who in thine exaltation drivest away the enemy, O most honored one, our helper, dominion of kings, might of the righteous, splendor of priests, who, when traced, dost deliver from evils, staff of power, whereby we are shepherded, weapon of peace around whom the angels stand in fear, divine glory of Christ, Who granteth the world great mercy!
God is our King before the ages, He has wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
Rejoice, a guide of the blind, physician of the ailing, resurrection of all the dead, who hast lifted us up who have fallen into corruption, O precious Cross, whereby the curse hath been annulled and incorruption hath blossomed forth, and we mortals have been deified, and the devil hath been utterly cast down! Beholding thee today uplifted in the arms of the hierarch, we exalt Him Who was lifted up upon thee, and we bow down before thee, richly drawing forth great mercy.
Tone 2, Glory…
Celebrating the dedication of the most sacred temple of Thy resurrection, we glorify Thee, O Lord, Who hast sanctified it and perfected it with Thine allperfect grace, Who art adorned therein by the faithful with sanctifying, mystic and sacred sacrifices, receivest un-bloody and all-pure sacrifices from the hands of Thy servants, and bestowest great mercy and cleansing from sins upon those who rightly make offering.
Now…
The Cross of the Bestower of life, a divine treasure hidden in the ground, was shown in the heavens to the pious emperor and noetically revealeth an inscription of victory of the enemy. And joyfully hastening in godly manner with faith and love to see it on high, he zealously lifted it from the bosom of the earth, for the deliverance of the world and the salvation of our souls.
Troparia
Tone 4
O Lord, as You had shown from on high the splendour of the firmament,* so did You show on earth* the splendour of the dwelling place of your holy glory.* Make it stand firm for ever and ever* and accept the supplications* which we offer unceasingly to You through your Mother.* O Lord, You are the Life and Resurrection of all of us.
Glory…
O holy priest-martyr Cornelius,* you lent yourself to the apostles’ way of life* and succeeded them on their throne.* Inspired by God, you found the way to contemplation through the practice of virtue;* therefore, you became a perfect teacher of truth,* fighting for the faith unto the shedding of your blood.* Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Tone 2, Now…
We offer You the life-giving Cross, O Lord,* as a means of intercession and as a sign of your bounty* which You have given to us in spite of our unworthiness.* Save our country and your people* who offer You their supplications through your Mother,* for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.
DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY MORNING
Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: O Lord, as You had shown from on high the splendour of the firmament,* so did You show on earth* the splendour of the dwelling place of Your holy glory.* Make it stand firm for ever and ever* and accept the supplications* which we offer unceasingly to You through Your Mother.* O Lord, You are the Life and Resurrection of all of us.
Troparion, Tone 4: Having shared the way of life of the apostles,* and having become a successor to their thrones,* labouring you found the divinely inspired way to contemplation.* Therefore, forthrightly ministering the word of truth,* you shed your blood for the faith, O hieromartyr, Cornelius.* Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
Troparion, Tone 4: We offer You the Life-giving Cross, O Lord,* as a means of intercession, and as a sign of Your bounty* which You have given to us in spite of our unworthiness.* Save our country and Your people* who offer You their supplications through Your Mother,* for You alone are the Lover of Mankind.
Kontakion, Tone 8: Today we see the saving Tree which blossomed from earthy seed.* It is lifted up in the Church by the hands of the bishop.* The universe adores and greets It with awe.* Save us by It, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Kontakion, Tone 4: Having piously lived among the hierarchs,* and having trod the path of suffering,* you extinguished the sacrifices to idols* and were a defender for your flock, O godly one.* Therefore, venerating you, we sincerely cry to you:* “Rescue us from dangers by your prayers, O our father, Cornelius.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone 4: You have made the Church a resplendent heaven, enlightening all the faithful.* Therefore, we stand in the midst of this holy dwelling place and cry out to You:* Make firm this house, O Lord.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for evermore.
verse: The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power. (Psalm 92:5,1)
Epistle
1 Corinthians 2:6-9
Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: The Lord prefers the gates of Sion to all Jacob’s dwellings.
verse: Of you are told glorious things, O city of God! (Psalm 86:2,3)
Gospel
Matthew 10:37-11:1
Communion Hymn
O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,* the place where your glory abides.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 25:8)