Sunday, July 19, 2026; Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the first Six Ecumenical Councils; Octoechos Tone 7; Our Venerable Mother Macrina, Sister of Saint Basil the Great; Our Venerable Father Dios.

When

July 19, 2026

All Day

Resurrectional Gospel 8

GREAT VESPERS ON SATURDAY EVENING

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man… is sung.

At Psalm 140

Tone 7

Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,* who destroyed the power of death* and enlightened the human race;* and let us cry out with the angels:* Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!

The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.

O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;* and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.* Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day* and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!

On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,* the apostles were amazed,* and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:* This is the glory of the Church,* this is the richness of the Kingdom!* O Lord, who suffered for our sake, glory to You!

Let Your ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.

O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,* I still acknowledge You as my God,* and I am not ashamed of You;* I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.* Your death is my life, almighty Lord,* and I extol Your resurrection.* O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

Tone 6, Podoben “The wretched…”

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

O Word and Lover of mankind,* infinite and beyond description in Your taking flesh for our sake,* the noble assembly of Fathers proclaimed that You are both perfect man and perfect God,* one person in two perfect natures with two perfect wills.* Therefore, we profess that You are one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* We sing a hymn of praise to the Fathers, and we adore You.

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

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

O glorious Fathers of the Councils,* you demonstrated that Pyrrhus, Sergius, and Onuphrius,* Dioscorus, and Nestorius were in error* concerning the doctrines of Christ.* You save the flock by teaching the true principle* that Christ is one divine person in two natures.* This Christ we adore as perfect man and perfect God,* one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.* O holy Fathers, we honour you and sing to you a hymn of praise.

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

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

The Fathers of the Councils, inspired by God,* declare and explain that in Christ* there is a divine act and a divine will,* uncreated and infinite:* the act and will of the Son of God.* There is also a human act and a human will:* those of the Son of Man.* Thus, they proclaim that Christ is one divine person having two natures,* the one is divine and the other is human.* Therefore, we the faithful honour these Fathers every year* and glorify Christ who glorified them.

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

The Fathers of the Councils proclaim to us today* that the eternal Trinity is one God and one Lord.* They explain the Trinity is of one nature,* consubstantial, of one will and one act,* not divided nor shared but existing in the simplicity of God’s being.* They define that this will and act of God* had no beginning and will never have and end.* Therefore, we the faithful glorify these Fathers* as the equals of the Apostles,* for they taught all people the true doctrine of God.

Tone 6, Glory…

Let us honour today those mystical trumpets of the Spirit,* namely the God-mantled Fathers,* who speaking of divine things,* sang in the midst of the Church a hymn in unison,* teaching that the Trinity is one,* not differing in substance or Godhead,* refuting Arius and defending the orthodox faith.* They always intercede with the Lord* to have mercy on our souls.

Tone 7, Now…

Immaculate Mother of God,* you became a mother outside the laws of nature,* remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description* and human understanding.* The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,* for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,* and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:* for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.* Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,* and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.

Readings

(1) Genesis 14:14-20; (2) Deuteronomy 1:8-11, 15-17; (3) Deuteronomy 10:14-21

Aposticha

Tone 7

O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,* and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.* O Lord, glory to You!

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Come, let us worship Christ who arose from the dead* and enlightened all creation.* For by His resurrection on the third day,* He set us free from the oppression of Hades,* granting us life and His great mercy.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, Lover of mankind,* You descended into Hades and destroyed death.* Then You arose on the third day;* and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us* who glorify Your mighty resurrection.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.* Yet on the third day You arose in great power,* and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:* Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

Tone 4, Glory…

O holy Fathers of the Councils,* you are the faithful keepers of the Apostles’ traditions.* By proclaiming that the three persons of the Holy Trinity* are one and consubstantial,* you refuted the blasphemy of Arius.* By teaching that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person,* one with the Father and the Son,* you put Macedonius, Severus and other heretics to shame.* Therefore, we beseech you to intercede for us,* preserving us from heresy and error* and keeping our lives blameless in God’s sight.

Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.* Remove the burdens which oppress us,* and deliver us from our sorrows;* for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.* O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you* to be overwhelmed by our cares.* Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:* Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,* the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

Troparia, Tone 7

By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

Tone 8, Glory…

Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

Now…

O gracious Lord, for the sake of mankind You were born of a virgin:* through Your death on the Cross You conquered Death;* and through Your resurrection You revealed Yourself as God.* O merciful Lord, do not disdain those whom You have created with Your own hands,* but show forth Your love for mankind.* Accept the intercession which the Mother, who bore You, makes in our behalf.* O Saviour, save Your despairing people.

GREAT MATINS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Usual Beginning

Hexapsalm

Great Litany

God the Lord, Tone 7

Troparia, Tone 7

Tone 4, Glory…

By celebrating today the memory of the holy Fathers, O all-compassionate Lord,* we implore You, through their petitions* to deliver your people from the harm of unbelievers.* Make us all worthy to glorify the Father, the Word, and the all-holy Spirit.

Now…

O all-pure and blameless Lady,* you gave birth in an ineffable manner to God* who has two natures and two wills, yet is one person.* He humbled himself by his own will even to be crucified* and granted us the richness of the divinity* by his resurrection from the dead.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalms 9, 10
Stasis II: Psalms 11, 12, 13
Stasis III: Psalms 14, 15, 16

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn I, Tone 7

When Life was laying in the tomb* and a seal laid upon the stone,* the soldiers guarded Christ as a sleeping King* and the Angels glorified Him as immortal God;* while the women cried aloud:* The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted on high;* forget not Your poor to the end.

By Your burial for three days You despoiled death,* and by Your life-bearing Arising* You raised corrupted mankind, O Christ Lord,* as the Lover of mankind. Glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

O Virgin Theotokos unceasingly entreat Christ our God,* who was crucified for us* and arose again destroying the dominion of death,* that He save our souls.

Psalter Reading

Stasis I: Psalm 17
Stasis II: Psalms 18, 19, 20
Stasis III: Psalms 21, 22, 23

Small Litany

Sessional Hymn II, Tone 7

While the grave was sealed, O Christ God,* You, the Life, shone forth from the tomb;* and while the doors were shut, You, the Resurrection of all,* appeared to Your Disciples,* and through them renewed a right Spirit within us,* according to Your great mercy.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell of all Your wonders.

Bringing sweet spices with their tears, the women ran to the tomb,* and while the soldiers guarded You, the King of all,* they spoke one to another:* Who will roll away the stone for us?* The Angel of great Counsel has risen, trampling down death.* O All-powerful Lord, glory be to You!

Glory… Now…

Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, full of grace,* haven and protection of the race of mankind,* for from you the Redeemer of the world has taken flesh,* for you alone are a Mother and Virgin,* ever blessed and exceedingly glorified;* intercede with Christ God to grant peace to all the world.

Polyeleos

Evlogitaria

Small Litany

Hypakoe, Tone 7

O Christ God, who took upon Yourself our form* and endured the Cross in the body,* save me by Your Resurrection,* as You alone love mankind.

Hymn of Ascent, Tone 7

Antiphon 1

Having turned back the captivity of Sion from error,* quicken me also O Saviour,* and deliver me from slavery to the passions.

He who sows tribulations in the south with tears of fasting,* will reap with joy the sheaves of nourishment* of eternal life.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit is the source of divine treasures,* from Him comes wisdom, intelligence, and fear;* and to Him belongs* praise, glory, honour and worship.

Antiphon 2

Unless the Lord builds the house of the soul,* in vain do we labour;* for without Him no deed or word can be perfected.

Of the fruit of the womb the Saints,* moved by the Spirit,* sprout forth the Father’s teachings of filial adoption.

Glory… Now…

By the Holy Spirit all things have their being;* in the presence of all He is God,* the sovereign of the universe,* Light unapproachable, Life of all.

Antiphon 3

Those who fear the Lord and find the ways of life,* now and always are blessed* with immortal glory.

As you behold your offspring like shoots around your table,* rejoice, and be glad, bringing them to Christ* the Chief Shepherd of all.

Glory… Now…

In the Holy Spirit there be an abundance of grace,* riches of glory and a great depth of judgments;* for He is to be served as identical in glory and honour* with the Father and the Son.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

Arise then, Lord,* lift up Your hand.* O God, do not forget the poor!

verse: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders.

Let everything that lives, Tone 7

Gospel

John 20:11-18

Hymn of Resurrection

Psalm 50

Verses at Psalm 50

Canon of the Resurection, Tone 7

Ode 1

Irmos: At a sign from you, O Lord, the nature of water was changed,* once free and flowing now it became as a wall, hard as the earth;* thus Israel walked dryshod* and sang you a song of victory.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

When you were condemned to an unjust death, O Lord, then the tyranny of death was judged by a tree; the prince of darkness could not prevail against you and was justly cast out.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Hell approached you with teeth which lacked the strength to crush your body and broke his jaws. Thus, O Saviour, you loosed the pains of death and on the third day rose again.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

The pains of Eve, first mother, are undone, for your child-bearing was without pain, without knowledge of man. Therefore, All-pure, clearly seeing you to be the Mother of God, we give you glory.

Katavasia: I shall open my mouth, * and be filled with the Spirit, * and utter discourse to the Queen and Mother; * and be seen radiantly keeping festival, * joyfully praising her wonders.

Ode 3

Irmos: Lord and Saviour, who in the beginning* established the heavens and every power of them,* by your almighty Word and the divine and all-effecting Spirit:* establish me firmly on the immovable rock of confession of you.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Of your own will for our sake ascending the cross to suffer the pain, O Saviour compassionate, you bear the stripes which are the cause of salvation and peace for all believers. Through it, O Merciful, we are all reconciled to your Father.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

You cleansed me, wounded in soul by the serpent’s bite, O Christ, and showed me light when long ago I lay in darkness and corruption. For, by your cross, you came down into Hell and raised me up with yourself.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

By the prayers of your Mother who knew no man, O Saviour, grant peace to your world, give victory over his enemies to the king; and make those who praise you worthy of your ineffable glory.

Katavasia: O Theotokos, living and plentiful fount, * establish in spiritual fellowship those who sing hymns to you, * and in your divine glory * grant them crowns of glory.

Ode 4

Irmos: Leaving not the deep recesses of the Father,* yet you came to earth, Christ God;* I have heard of the mystery of your dispensation* and I glorify you, Lover of man.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

He who was made flesh of the Virgin gave his own back to the scourging, the innocent Master was maltreated for the sinning servant and annulled the charges against me.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The Maker of man, judging as God the whole earth in righteousness, stands before the seat of lawless judges as one called to account and convicted, and is struck by an earthly hand.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

All-blameless One, as truly Mother of God entreat your Son and Maker to guide me to the safe harbour of his glorious will.

Katavasia: He who sits in glory upon the throne of the Godhead, * Jesus the true God, * is come in a swift cloud * and with His sinless hands he has saved those who cry: * Glory to Your power, O Christ.

Ode 5

Irmos: Night is without light to unbelievers, O Christ,* but to the faithful it is enlightenment in the delight of your divine words.* And so I rise early to you* and praise your Godhead.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

O Christ, you are sold on behalf of your servants, you endure the scourging, bringing freedom to those who sing to you; early I rise to you and sing the praises of your divinity.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

By your divine power, O Christ, by means of the weakness of the flesh, you have overthrown the strong one, and through your resurrection, O Saviour, you have revealed me as a conqueror of death.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Pure Mother, all-praised, fittingly you brought forth God, made flesh of you, for without knowledge of man but by the Holy Spirit you conceived.

Katavasia: All creation stands in awe of your divine glory; * for you, O Virgin who have not known wedlock, * contained within your womb the God of all, * and gave birth to the timeless Son, * bestowing peace, upon all who hymn you.

Ode 6

Irmos: Sick on the rolling swell of the cares of this life,* thrown overboard by the sins that sail with me* and hurled to the soul-destroying beast,* as Jonah I cry to you:* O Christ, lead me up* from these death-dealing deeps.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The souls of the righteous imprisoned in Hell and forsaken had remembered you and were praying for your salvation; and you granted it, Christ, through your cross when you, the Compassionate, went down to the deepest parts of the earth.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The band of the apostles despaired of seeing you again, the living temple not made with human hands and destroyed by all that befell it. But worshipping beyond all hope, they everywhere proclaimed you risen from the dead.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Virgin Bride of God, who of mankind can explain the all-spotless manner of your ineffable child-bearing for our sakes? For the Word being united to you, the uncircumscribed God became flesh.

Katavasia: Prefiguring Your three-day burial * Prophet Jonah praying in the belly of the sea-monster cried aloud: * Deliver me from corruption * O Jesus, the King of hosts.

Kontakion, Tone 7

No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden;* the tree of the Cross has quenched its flames gloriously.* The sting of death and the victory of Hades are banished,* and You O my Saviour came and called to those in Hades: “Return again to Paradise!”

Ikos

Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, Hades cried to those below: “O my servants and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden spear has suddenly pierced me, and I am rent asunder. Inwardly I am in pain; and anguish has seized my senses. My spirit is troubled, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to me, but now the Tree of the Cross leads them back again to Paradise.”

Ode 7

Irmos: The young men of old have shown us a blazing furnace* cool with the gently falling dew,* and themselves singing the praise of the one God and saying:* The most highly exalted, God of our fathers, glorious above all is he.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

A dam of his own will worked disobedience and was slain by a tree; Christ’s obedience formed him anew; for the Son of God was crucified for me, glorious above all is he.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The whole creation hymns you, Christ, rising from the tomb, for you have caused life to blossom for those in Hell, resurrection for the dead and light for those in darkness. Glorious above all is he.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Hail, daughter of the corrupted Adam! Hail, sole bride of God! Hail, you who gave birth to God and through whom corruption has been banished! Pray to him, Pure One, to save us all.

Katavasia: Refusing to worship created things * in place of the Creator, * the divinely wise youths bravely trampled down the threatening fire * and rejoicing they sang aloud: * O supremely hymned Lord and God of our Fathers, Blessed are You.

Ode 8

Irmos: Burning yet unconsumed, the bush in Sinai made God known to Moses,* slow of tongue and hard of hearing.* And the burning zeal for God revealed the three young men unharmed in the fire and singing:* Praise the Lord, all his works,* and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The undefiled and reasonable Lamb, in sacrifice slain for the world, brought to an end the offerings according to the law and as God, apart from transgressions, cleansed the law now crying out: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

The flesh the Maker took from us before his Passion was not incorruptible; but after Passion and Rising, it was rendered inaccessible to corruption and re-makes mortal men, who cry: Praise the Lord, all his works, and highly exalt him throughout all the ages.

Most holy Theotokos, save us.

Your purity, your total spotlessness, O Virgin, has cleansed the sordid and polluted things of our world, and you, All-pure, have become for us a cause of reconciliation with God. Therefore, O Virgin, we bless and highly exalt you throughout all the ages.

Katavasia: Hearken, O pure Virgin Maiden, * that Gabriel may tell you the true counsel of the Most High of old. * Make ready to receive the Godhead; * for through you the Infinite One has come to dwell among men. * Therefore, rejoicing, I cry aloud: * Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord!

Ode 9

Irmos: Conceiving without taint of corruption,* lending your flesh to the Word, the Deviser of all,* Mother knowing no man, Virgin, Godbearer,* vessel receiving the illimitable* and dwelling for your infinite Maker:* we magnify you.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

Be silent, you minds estranged, who fit suffering to the divinity; for we magnify the Lord of glory, crucified in the flesh but not crucified in the divine nature: one person in two natures.

Glory to your holy Resurrection, O Lord.

All you who deny the body’s resurrection, go to the tomb of Christ and learn that the flesh of the giver of life was put to death and rose again in assurance of the final resurrection; for this we hope.

Let us bless the Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As we worship not a trinity of Godheads but of persons, not oneness of persons but of Godhead, we part from those who divide and confound those who dare to confuse the Trinity whom we magnify.

Katavasia: In no way may the hand of the defiled * touch the animate ark of God; * and let the lips of the faithful * never-silently cry out with joy to the Theotokos, * chanting the words of the angel: * Rejoice, O you who are full of grace! * The Lord is with thee!

Small Litany

Holy is the Lord

Hymn of Light

When Mary saw two angels inside the grave,* she was seized with fright.* She did not recognize Christ but thought that He was the gardener;* she said to Him: “Sir, where have You placed the body of Jesus?”* She knew from His voice that He was the Saviour,* and she obeyed Him when He said:* “Touch Me not for I am going to My Father.* Tell this to My disciples.”

Glory… Now…

You have given birth, O Virgin,* to one of the Trinity in a manner beyond description,* dual in nature, dual in will, but one in Person.* Therefore, always beseech Him for those who honor you in faith,* that we may escape the temptations of the enemy;* for in you we now seek refuge, O Theotokos.

Praises

To carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all His faithful.

Christ is risen from the dead,* loosing the bonds of death;* O earth! proclaim the good tidings of great joy; and you heavens praise the glory of God.

Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Having seen the Resurrection of Christ,* let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one.

Praise Him for His powerful deeds,* praise His surpassing greatness.

We cease not to worship the Holy Resurrection of Christ,* for He has saved us from our iniquities,* Holy is the Lord Jesus* who has shown us the Resurrection.

O praise Him with sound of trumpet,* praise Him with lute and harp;

What shall we render to the Lord for all that He has rendered unto us?* For our sake God dwelled among us;* for our corrupted nature the Word became flesh and dwelled within us;* to the ungrateful He is the Benefactor;* to prisoners He is the Liberator;* to those in darkness He is the Sun of justice;* the path to the Cross;* the Light to Hades; Life to death;* Resurrection for the fallen:* to Him we cry aloud: Our God, glory be to You!’

Tone 6

Praise Him with timbrel and dance,* praise Him with strings and pipes.

The venerable, glorified, and all-holy Fathers,* having carefully considered the whole knowledge of the soul in the Holy Spirit,* inscribed in divine writings the honourable and heavenly Canon* in which they clearly teach that the Word is co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.* Thus they follow without error the teachings of the apostles.

O praise Him with resounding cymbals, praise Him with clashing of cymbals.* Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

Arise, O Lord my God, let Your hands be lifted up, * forget not Your poor ones to the end.

When the holy preachers of Christ fully received the light* from the Holy Spirit, they spoke with divine insight,* with few but deeply meaningful words inspired from above,* bringing to the front the evangelical doctrines and traditions of true worship.* When these were clearly revealed to them from on high,* they were enlightened* and thus established the faith received from God.

I will confess You, O Lord, with my whole heart,* I will tell all Your wonders.

Tone 8, Glory…

When the holy Fathers gathered from the ends of the world,* they believed in one substance and one nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.* They delivered plainly to the Church the mystery of discoursing in theology.* Therefore, we honour them in faith and bless them, saying:* What a divine army, O God-inspired soldiers of the camp of the Lord,* O most brilliant luminaries in the heavens,* you mighty towers of the mystical Sion,* you scented flowers of Paradise, the golden lights of the Word,* the pride and delight of the whole universe,* intercede unceasingly for our souls.

Tone 2, Now…

You are truly most blessed, O virgin Mother of God.* Through the One who was incarnate of you,* Hades was chained, Adam revived, the curse wiped out,* Eve set free, Death put to death,* and we ourselves were brought back to life.* That is why we cry out in praise;* Blessed are You, O Christ our God,* who finds in this your good pleasure. Glory to You!

Great Doxology

Trisagion Prayers

Troparion, Tone 2

Today salvation has come to the world.* Let us sing to Him who is risen from the tomb,* the Author of Life who has crushed Death by his death* and bestowed on us victory and great mercy.

Insistent Litany

Litany of Supplication

Great Dismissal

AT DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

Troparion, Tone 8: Christ our God, You are glorified above all,* You established our fathers as beacons on earth* and through them guided all of us to the true faith.* Glory to You, most compassionate Lord.

Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”

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

Kontakion, Tone 6: The Son who ineffably shone from the Father* was born two-fold of nature from a woman.* Beholding Him, we do not reject the image of His form;* but depicting it, we revere it faithfully.* Therefore, the Church, holing the true faith,* kisses the icon of Christ’s becoming man.

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

Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers,* and praised and glorified is Your Name forever.

verse: For You are righteous in everything that You have done to us. (Daniel 3:26-27)

Epistle

Hebrews 13:7-16

Alleluia, Tone 1

verse: The God of gods, the Lord, spoke and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

verse: Gather to Him His devout ones, who with sacrifice make covenant with Him. (Psalm 49:1,5)

Gospel

John 17:1-13

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens,* praise Him in the highest.* Rejoice in the Lord, O you just;* praise befits the righteous.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalms 184:1; 32:1)